In a significant act of remembrance, the Kathua Railway Station in Jammu & Kashmir has been renamed “Martyr Captain Sunil Kumar Choudhary Kathua Railway Station,” honoring the courageous service and sacrifice of Captain Sunil Kumar Choudhary. A Kirti Chakra awardee, Captain Choudhary lost his life during a counter-insurgency operation against ULFA militants in Assam in 2008. This renaming fulfills a long-standing request from local residents and Captain Choudhary’s family to memorialize the decorated Army officer’s extraordinary contributions to the nation.
The official renaming was sanctioned by Government Order No. 129-JK(GAD) of 2026, issued by the General Administration Department of the Jammu & Kashmir government on January 29, 2026. The order directed relevant bodies, including Northern Railway, the Survey of India, and the National Geospatial Data Centre, to update official records, maps, and station signage accordingly. The execution of this decision has been completed, with the new station name now visible across railway systems and documents.
Captain Choudhary, a native of the Kathua district, was commissioned into the 7/11 Gorkha Rifles in December 2004. Throughout his tenure, he played a pivotal role in numerous counter-insurgency operations against ULFA militants. On January 27, 2008, while leading an operation in Rangagarh village within Tinsukia district, he sustained critical injuries after being shot in the chest. Remarkably, he continued to engage in combat, eliminating two militants before succumbing to his wounds. His extraordinary bravery and selfless leadership earned him the Kirti Chakra, India’s second-highest peacetime gallantry award, posthumously.
The honor holds particular importance for the residents of Kathua, who have advocated for a lasting tribute to Captain Choudhary’s legacy. His father, Colonel (Retd.) P. L. Choudhary, expressed pride and emotion over the renaming, emphasizing that such tributes help ensure that future generations remember the sacrifices made by the armed forces.
With this change, every train arriving at or departing from Kathua will now bear the name of this young Army officer, whose courage continues to motivate both military personnel and civilians. The renaming not only enhances the significance of one of Jammu & Kashmir’s key railway stations but also serves as a permanent memorial, reminding millions of passengers each year of Captain Sunil Kumar Choudhary’s steadfast dedication to duty and ultimate sacrifice for the nation.
