Kathua Railway Station Renamed After Martyred Captain Sunil Choudhary

In a solemn tribute to valour and sacrifice, the Jammu and Kashmir government has officially renamed the Kathua Railway Station in honour of Kirti Chakra awardee and martyr Captain Sunil Kumar Choudhary. The decision recognises the supreme sacrifice made by the Army officer in the line of duty and is being widely seen as a reaffirmation of the Union Territory’s commitment to honouring the bravery of India’s armed forces personnel.

An official government order has accorded formal sanction to rename the station as Martyr Captain Sunil Kumar Choudhary Kathua Railway Station. The move has evoked deep emotions within the martyr’s family, particularly his father, retired Colonel P.L. Choudhary, who described the gesture as both a source of immense pride and enduring sorrow. While acknowledging the lifelong void left by the loss of a young son, he said such recognitions ensure that the sacrifice of martyrs is remembered by generations to come.

Reacting to the announcement, Col. Choudhary praised the government’s initiative of naming public institutions after fallen soldiers, stating that it inspires children from an early age to serve the nation. Recalling his own military background, he noted that children from armed forces families often grow up motivated by the discipline, values, and sense of duty embodied by the uniform, which frequently leads them to excel when they join the services.

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Captain Sunil Kumar Choudhary was posted in Tinsukia on the Assam–Arunachal Pradesh border, where he quickly distinguished himself in counter-insurgency operations. In January 2008, he led a successful operation against militants of the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA), neutralising two terrorists and earning the Sena Medal for gallantry. Just a day later, acting on fresh intelligence about the presence of militants in Rangagarh village, he chose duty over celebration and led another operation.

During the fierce firefight that followed, Captain Choudhary eliminated a terrorist but sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the chest. He succumbed to his injuries after ensuring that the threat was neutralised without any civilian or troop casualties. For his exceptional courage and selflessness, he was posthumously awarded the Kirti Chakra. His mother, Satya Choudhary, expressed gratitude to the government and supporters, saying that while her son is no longer with them, his name and legacy will remain immortal through this honour.

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