Indian Coast Guard Director General Rakesh Pal dies

Indian Coast Guard Director General Rakesh Pal died of a heart attack in Chennai on Sunday, officials said.

Pal took office as the 25th Director General of the Indian Coast Guard on July 19 last year.

It is reported that Pal was rushed to a hospital in Chennai. “The Director General of the Coast Guard passed away due to a heart attack in Chennai,” an official said.

Arrangements are being made to bring his body back to Delhi.

Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said Pal's death was “untimely” and said the Indian Coast Guard had “made significant progress in strengthening India's maritime security” under his leadership.

“Deeply saddened by the untimely passing away of Shri Rakesh Pal, Director General of the Indian Coast Guard in Chennai today. He was a capable and committed officer under whose leadership the ICG made significant progress in strengthening India's maritime security . My heartfelt condolences to his family,” Singh posted on social media.

Singh also visited the hospital and paid his respects to Pal.

The Indian Navy posted on social media that Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi and all Indian Navy personnel expressed deep condolences on the death of Commander-in-Chief Rakesh Pal and expressed their condolences to his family. Sincere condolences and added that the Indian Navy is with them in their grief.

The Directorate General of Public Information of India posted on social media that the Chief of Indian Army Staff, General Upendra Dwivedi, and personnel at all levels of the Indian Army expressed their deepest condolences on the sudden death of ICG Commander-in-Chief Pal. .

“The Indian Army prays for his soul and stands with the grieving family at this difficult time,” the post read.

Defense Minister Giridhar Alamand called Pal a “competent and committed officer.”

“We are deeply saddened by the untimely demise of ICG Director Shri Rakesh Pal today in Chennai. He was a capable and committed officer under whose leadership the ICG made tremendous progress in strengthening India's maritime security. We are with the family Pray together. We pray Sagati for the departed souls,” Alamein said.

The police officer hails from Uttar Pradesh and is an avid music lover and sports enthusiast. He is survived by his wife Dipa Pal and two daughters.

Under Pal's top supervision, the ICG carried out many major operations including seizure of drugs and narcotic substances and gold worth crores of rupees.

During his distinguished career of more than 34 years, the officer held a number of key positions at sea and ashore. Prominent among them are the Commander, Coast Guard Area (North-West), Deputy Director General (Policy and Plans) and Additional Director General, Coast Guard Headquarters, New Delhi.

He has also served in various prestigious staff positions, namely, Chief (Infrastructure and Engineering) and Principal Chief (Administration), Coast Guard Headquarters.

Pal is known for his vast maritime experience and has commanded all classes of vessels of the Indian Coast Guard, namely Samarth, Vijit, Sucheta Kriplani, Ahalyabai and C-03.

The officer also commands two Coast Guard Stations in forward areas of Gujarat namely Awka and Vadinar.

In February 2022, he was promoted to the rank of Additional Director General and appointed as Additional Director General, Coast Guard Headquarters.

Pal is an alumnus of the Indian Naval Academy and joined the Indian Coast Guard in January 1989.

He studied gunnery and weapons systems expertise at the Indian Naval School, Dronacharya, Kochi and took a course in Optoelectronic Fire Control Solutions in the United Kingdom.

The officer is also considered to be the first gunner of the Indian Coast Guard.

For his distinguished services, he was awarded the Ati Vishsht Seva Medal, the Presidential Tatrakshak Medal and the Tatrakshak Medal for Distinguished Service.

(Inputs from PTI)