Kathua, Jammu & Kashmir: In a fitting tribute to one of India’s bravest soldiers, Kathua Railway Station has officially been renamed “Martyr Captain Sunil Kumar Choudhary Kathua Railway Station” in honour of Kirti Chakra awardee Captain Sunil Kumar Choudhary, who made the supreme sacrifice while leading a counter-insurgency operation against ULFA militants in Assam in 2008. The renaming fulfils a long-standing demand from local residents and the martyr’s family to commemorate the decorated Army officer’s extraordinary courage and service to the nation.
The renaming was approved through Government Order No. 129-JK(GAD) of 2026, issued by the General Administration Department of the Government of Jammu & Kashmir on 29 January 2026. The order directed Northern Railway, the Survey of India, the National Geospatial Data Centre, and other concerned agencies to update official records, maps, and station signage. The decision has now been implemented, with the new station name appearing across railway systems and official records.
Captain Sunil Kumar Choudhary hailed from Kathua district and was commissioned into the 7/11 Gorkha Rifles in December 2004. During his service in Assam, he distinguished himself in several counter-insurgency operations against ULFA militants. On 27 January 2008, while leading an operation in Rangagarh village of Tinsukia district, he was critically wounded after being shot in the chest. Despite his injuries, he continued fighting and personally eliminated two militants before succumbing to his wounds. For his exceptional bravery and selfless leadership, he was posthumously awarded the Kirti Chakra, India’s second-highest peacetime gallantry award.
The honour carries special significance for the people of Kathua, who have long sought a permanent public memorial to preserve Captain Choudhary’s legacy. His father, Colonel (Retd.) P. L. Choudhary, has described the renaming as a proud and emotional moment for the family, stating that such tributes ensure future generations remember the sacrifices made by India’s armed forces personnel.
With this decision, every train arriving at or departing from Kathua will now carry the name of a young Army officer whose courage continues to inspire soldiers and civilians alike. The renaming transforms one of Jammu & Kashmir’s important railway stations into a lasting memorial, reminding millions of passengers each year of Captain Sunil Kumar Choudhary’s unwavering devotion to duty and ultimate sacrifice in the service of the nation.
