Indian Coast Guard Director General Rakesh Pal dies of ‘cardiac arrest’ in Chennai

Pal was in Chennai to attend an ICG event with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

Indian Coast Guard Director General Rakesh Pal. (Photo: X/ @IndiaCoastGuard)

Indian Coast Guard Director General Rakesh Pal died at a government hospital in Chennai following a “cardiac arrest”, Defence sources told news agency PTI on Sunday.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh condoled Pal’s demise. On a post on social media platform X, Singh wrote: “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.”

#WATCH | Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin paid last respects to Indian Coast Guard chief Rakesh Pal who passed away today in Chennai after suffering a cardiac arrest. pic.twitter.com/1dgAXf32U5

— ANI (@ANI) August 18, 2024

Pal was in Chennai to attend an ICG event with Singh. He was admitted to the state-run Rajiv Gandhi General Hospital (RGGH) earlier in the day, PTI reported, after he complained of uneasiness.

Singh, who also took part in a state government event to release a commemorative coin on late Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader and former Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi’s birth centenary, rushed to the hospital to pay his respects after being informed of Pal’s demise.

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