The Kathua Railway Station in Jammu and Kashmir has been officially renamed as ‘Shaheed Captain Sunil Kumar Choudhary Railway Station Kathua’ to pay tribute to the brave martyr. The Ministry of Railways has implemented this change, updating the station’s official code to MSKT. For passengers booking their travel, the station will now appear as “MC SUNIL KATHUA” in all digital ticketing systems. This significant development was confirmed by Union Minister of State for Science & Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, who noted that the formal order was issued by the Jammu & Kashmir government on January 30, 2026.
A Legacy of Valor
Captain Sunil Kumar Choudhary, an officer of the 11 Gorkha Rifles, made the ultimate sacrifice during an anti-terror operation in Assam on January 27, 2008. Born on June 22, 1980, in the nearby Govindsar village, the officer was posthumously awarded the prestigious Kirti Chakra and the Sena Medal for his exceptional courage. The decision to rename the station follows a long-standing public demand to honor his memory and inspire future generations with his spirit of national service.
Official Process and Approval
The renaming was executed under Government Order No. 129-JK (GAD) 2026, following instructions from the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir. Subsequently, the North Central Railway issued the official notification to effectuate the change across the rail network. Dr. Jitendra Singh expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for their swift action in fulfilling this tribute. The martyr’s parents, retired Colonel P.L. Choudhary and mother Saty Choudhary, have welcomed the move, expressing immense pride that their son’s legacy will now be immortalized at the railway station that serves their home district.