For the first time, a freight train delivered winter supplies to the Indian Army in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag, and on its return it would carry apples from the Valley to Delhi.

Jammu-based Defence spokesman Lt Col Suneel Bartwal said the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) witnessed a historic milestone with the successful run of a freight train, the first exclusive freight train of the Indian Army from BD Bari to Anantnag.
He said the train carried 753 metric tonnes of Advance Winter Stocking (AWS) loads for Indian Army units and formations in J&K, marking a decisive turning point in the Army’s Advance Winter Stocking (AWS) modus operandi.
“This strategic initiative underscores the Indian Army’s ongoing capability development efforts to ensure operational preparedness in challenging Himalayan terrain,” Lt Col Bartwal said.
The army termed it a "dual use logistics and military-civil fusion".
The spokesman said in a unique demonstration of dual-use logistics and military–civil fusion, the return rake of the freight train will transport Kashmiri apples to markets in the rest of India.
The development comes at a time when the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway remains closed for nearly three weeks and the fruit growers are facing extreme distress from the disruption.
“This step not only strengthens the Army’s winter preparedness but also provides direct benefits to local communities. Farmers, who in the past suffered heavy losses due to road blockages caused by landslides and floods, will now be able to transport their produce seamlessly, ensuring both economic relief and livelihood security,” Lt Col Bartwal added.
He said the initiative reflects the Army’s role in nation-building, extending beyond its core mission of defence to contribute tangibly to the socio-economic development of Kashmir.
“By harnessing rail infrastructure for both military and civilian purposes, the Indian Army has taken a major stride in strengthening resilience, connectivity, and prosperity in the region,” the spokesman said.