Rakesh Pal. (File Photo)
New Delhi: Rakesh Pal, who was leading the Indian Coast Guard as its 25th director general, died of a heart attack in Chennai on Sunday. He was 58.
Pal was earlier admitted to Chennai’s Rajiv Gandhi General Hospital after he complained of chest pain and uneasiness in the afternoon. As a result, he had to miss attending an event in which the defence minister, Rajnath Singh, inaugurated a new state-of-the-art ICG Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre building in the city.
The DG ICG’s sudden demise while in service has shocked the country’s defence and security community.
Pal was a distinguished officer whose career spanned over three decades. Born in 1965, he joined the Indian Coast Guard in January 1989 after graduating from the Indian Naval Academy. Pal specialized in gunnery and weapons systems at the Indian Naval School Dronacharya, Kochi, and furthered his expertise with an electro-optics fire-control solution course in the United Kingdom.
Throughout his illustrious career, Pal held several key positions, including Commander of the Coast Guard North-West Region in Gandhinagar, deputy director general of Coast Guard Policy & Plans, and additional director general at the Coast Guard Headquarters in New Delhi.
He was known for his leadership during major operations, such as anti-poaching missions, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) during cyclones, and joint exercises with foreign coast guards.
Pal was conferred with the Tatrakshak Medal in 2013 and the President Tatrakshak Medal in 2018 for his exemplary service1. He took charge as the director general of the Coast Guard on July 19, 2023.
Pal’s tenure was marked by significant advancements in the Coast Guard’s capabilities. Under his leadership, the force enhanced its surveillance, anti-smuggling, and search-and-rescue operations.
The defence minister condoled the death of the Indian Coast Guard chief while in service. Expressing his condolences to Pal’s bereaved family, in a post on X, Rajnath Singh said he was deeply saddened by Pal’s untimely demise.
Singh also paid tribute to his service. He called him an “able and committed” officer under whose leadership the Coast Guard was “making big strides” in strengthening India’s maritime security.
This story has been updated at 11.02pm, Sunday, August 18, 2024, with the news of Rakesh Pal’s admission in a hospital in the afternoon.
