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Tragic loss: Coast Guard General Rakesh Pal dies of heart attack in Chennai

In a tragic incident, Director General of Indian Coast Guard Rakesh Pal died of severe cardiac arrest in Chennai on Sunday. Sources said he felt chest pain on INS Adyar while discussing preparations for Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's visit to Chennai. He was rushed to Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH) at around 2:30 pm, but unfortunately he did not respond to treatment and passed away at around 7 pm. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh paid his last respects at the hospital.

“I am deeply saddened to hear of the untimely demise of Shri Rakesh Pal, DG, Indian Coast Guard in Chennai today. He was an able and dedicated officer under whose leadership the ICG made great strides in strengthening India's maritime security. My heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family,” Rajnath Singh said in a post on X.

In a condolence message, Defence Minister Giridhar Aramane said he was a capable and dedicated officer under whose leadership the ICG made great strides in strengthening India's maritime security.

DG Rakesh Pal was appointed as the 25th Director General of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) in July last year. Rakesh Pal is a graduate of the Indian Naval Academy and joined the Indian Coast Guard in January 1989. In his career spanning over 35 years, the Flag Officer has held several important appointments including Commander, Coast Guard Region (North West) at Gandhinagar, Deputy Director General (Policy and Planning) and Additional Director General of Coast Guard at Coast Guard Headquarters in New Delhi.

Rajnath Singh inaugurates new ICG Sea Rescue Coordination Centre

Earlier, Rajnath Singh inaugurated the newly constructed state-of-the-art Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) in Chennai. He also inaugurated the Regional Marine Pollution Response Centre at the Chennai port premises and the Coast Guard Air Enclave in Puducherry. The buildings have been constructed to ensure robust maritime security and enable efficient response to emergencies, underlining the country's commitment to maritime security and environmental protection.

According to the Ministry of Defence, the state-of-the-art facility is expected to significantly improve the coordination and effectiveness of maritime rescue operations for sailors and fishermen in distress at sea. It underscores the government's determination to protect lives and ensure rapid response in critical situations. The centre is equipped with state-of-the-art emergency monitoring equipment via terrestrial and satellite systems and has advanced communication systems for real-time management of alarms by highly trained ICG personnel specialised in search and rescue procedures with rescue aircraft, ships and other facilities.

Team BharatShakti

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