Indian Coast Guard's Director General Rakesh Pal Passes Away

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

Pal had taken charge as the 25th Director General of the Indian Coast Guard on July 19 last year.

It is learnt that Pal was rushed to a hospital in Chennai. “The Coast Guard director general died following a heart attack in Chennai,” an official said.

Arrangements are being made to bring his mortal remains to Delhi.

Defence minister Rajnath Singh said Pal’s demise was ‘untimely’ and said the Indian Coast Guard made ‘big strides in strengthening India’s maritime security’ under his leadership.

“Deeply saddened at the untimely demise of Shri Rakesh Pal, DG, Indian Coast Guard in Chennai today. He was an able and committed officer under whose leadership ICG was making big strides in strengthening India’s maritime security. My heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family,” Singh said in a social media post.

Singh also visited the hospital where he paid respects to Pal.

The Indian Navy in a social media post said that Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, along with all Indian Navy personnel, deeply mourned the passing of Director General Rakesh Pal and extended heartfelt condolences to his family, adding that the Indian Navy shares in their sorrow.

The Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army, General Upendra Dwivedi, along with all ranks of the Indian Army, expressed his deepest condolences on the sudden passing of ICG DG Pal, the Additional Directorate General of Public Information said, in a social media post.

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

Defence secretary Giridhar Aramane called Pal an “able and committed officer”.

“We are deeply saddened at the untimely demise of Shri Rakesh Pal, DG, ICG in Chennai today. He was an able and committed officer under whose leadership ICG was making huge strides in strengthening India’s maritime security. Our prayers are with the family members. We pray for sadgati for the departed soul,” Aramane said.

The officer, who was an ardent music lover and an avid sports enthusiast, hailed from Uttar Pradesh. He is survived by wife Dipa Pal and two daughters.

Under Pal’s apex supervision, the ICG carried out many major operations that included seizure of drugs and narcotic substances and gold worth crores of rupees.

In his distinguished career spanning over 34 years, the flag officer had held several key appointments on the sea and ashore. Prominent among them were Commander Coast Guard Region (North West), Deputy Director General (Policy and Plans) and Additional Director General at Coast Guard Headquarters in New Delhi.

He also held various prestigious staff assignments namely Director (Infra and Works) and Principal Director (Administration) at Coast Guard headquarters.

Pal was known for having a vast sea experience and commanded all class of Indian Coast Guard ships namely Samarth, Vijit, Sucheta Kriplani, Ahalyabai and C-03.

The officer also commanded two Coast Guard Base of forward area in Gujarat that is Okha and Vadinar.

He was elevated to the rank of additional director general in February 2022 and appointed as additional director general at Coast Guard headquarters.

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

He had undergone professional specialisation in gunnery and weapons system at Indian Naval School Dronacharya, Kochi and electro-optics fire control solution course from the United Kingdom.

The officer also held the recognition of being the first gunner of Indian Coast Guard.

For his illustrious service, he had been conferred with the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, President Tatrakshak Medal and Tatrakshak Medal for distinguished service.

(with inputs from PTI)