The Kathua Railway Station in Jammu and Kashmir has officially been renamed as Shaheed Captain Sunil Kumar Chaudhary Kathua Railway Station. This significant change comes following a government order issued on January 30, 2026, directed by the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha. Northern Railway has updated the station’s official designation, transitioning the code from KTHU to MSKT.
Key highlights of this development include:
- The station name change is a tribute to the sacrifice of the brave Indian Army officer, Captain Sunil Kumar Chaudhary.
- The General Administration Department formalized the renaming process following long-standing local requests.
- Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh confirmed the official notification while thanking the central leadership for their support.
- The station code has been officially updated to MSKT in railway records.
A Tribute to a Hero
Born on June 22, 1980, in Govindsar village, Captain Sunil Kumar Chaudhary hailed from a family with a strong military tradition. He joined the Indian Military Academy in 2003 and was commissioned into the 7/11 Gorkha Rifles Battalion on December 10, 2004. Throughout his service, he exemplified courage, earning the Sena Medal on January 26, 2008.
Tragically, just one day after receiving his gallantry award, Captain Chaudhary was martyred during an anti-terrorism operation in Assam on January 27, 2008. In recognition of his supreme sacrifice for the nation, he was posthumously awarded the Kirti Chakra.
Community and Official Response
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for facilitating this tribute. For the local residents of Kathua and the family of the martyr, this renaming serves as a lasting recognition of his bravery. His father, retired Colonel P.L. Chaudhary, shared his pride, noting that this honor ensures the memory of his son’s sacrifice remains etched in the history of the region. Passengers traveling through the station will now be reminded of the valor of this Indian Army hero every time they arrive at or depart from MSKT.