Kathua Railway Station renamed after slain Army officer
Babushahi Bureau
Srinagar (J-K) July 18, 2026: The Kathua Railway Station in Jammu and Kashmir has been officially renamed Shaheed Captain Sunil Kumar Chaudhary Railway Station, Kathua, in honour of the decorated Indian Army officer who laid down his life in the line of duty.
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh announced the decision, stating that the renaming was approved following a long-standing demand from local residents and the martyr's family. The move recognises Captain Chaudhary's sacrifice and service to the nation.
According to the minister, the demand had gained momentum after Udhampur Railway Station was named after Shaheed Captain Tushar Mahajan, with residents seeking similar recognition for Captain Sunil Kumar Chaudhary.
Captain Sunil Kumar Chaudhary was born on June 22, 1980, in Govindsar village near Kathua into a distinguished military family. He was the eldest of three brothers and the son of Lieutenant Colonel P.L. Chaudhary and Satya Chaudhary. Family members affectionately called him "Soni."
He served as an officer in the 7/11 Gorkha Rifles of the Indian Army's Gorkha Regiment. During his military career, he displayed exceptional courage before making the supreme sacrifice while serving the nation.
For his bravery, Captain Chaudhary was posthumously awarded the Kirti Chakra, India's second-highest peacetime gallantry award, along with the Sena Medal.
The renaming of the railway station is being seen as a tribute to his valour and an effort to preserve the legacy of one of Jammu and Kashmir's brave soldiers.