Sources said that he developed chest pain at coast guard headquarters when he was in discussion with the officials about the preparations for defence minister Rajnath Singh‘s visit to Chennai. He was rushed to the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH) around 2.30 pm, but he died without responding to the treatment around 7 pm.
Defence minister Rajnath Singh and Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin paid their last respects at the hospital.
“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,” the defence minister said in a post on X.
DG Rakesh Pal was appointed as the 25th director general of the Indian Coast Guard in July last year. An alumnus of the Indian Naval Academy, Rakesh Pal joined Indian Coast Guard in January 1989. In his career spanning over 35 years, the flag officer has held several key appointments, prominent among them are Commander Coast Guard Region (North West), Gandhinagar, Deputy Director General (Policy & Plans), and Additional Director General Coast Guard at Coast Guard Headquarters, New Delhi.
He has vast sea experience and commanded all classes of ICG ships namely; ICGS Samarth, ICGS Vijit, ICGS Sucheta Kriplani, ICGS Ahalyabai, and ICGS C-03. The Officer has also Commanded two Coast Guard bases of the forward area in Gujarat – Okha & Vadinar. DG Rakesh Pal was conferred with Tatrakshak Medal in 2013 and President Tatrakshak Medal in 2018 for his illustrious service.