CHENNAI: Inspector General Yoginder Dhaka on Thursday assumed charge as Commander of Coast Guard Region (East), taking over from Inspector General Datwinder Singh Saini at a ceremonial parade held at the Coast Guard Air Station, Chennai.

Inspector General Datwinder Singh Saini has been transferred to the Indian Coast Guard headquarters, New Delhi, where he will serve as Deputy Director General (Coast Guard Selection Board), after a one-and-a-half-year tenure in Chennai.

During this period, the region saw the addition of new assets, infrastructure expansion and multiple lifesaving operations.

IG Yoginder Dhaka has served the organisation for over three decades in various ashore and afloat appointments.

His staff assignments include Principal Director (Intelligence), Director (Plans) and Joint Director (Officers) at Coast Guard Headquarters, Chief Staff Officer (Operations) at the North East Regional Headquarters.

Promoted to flag rank in November 2023, he was appointed Chief of Staff (Eastern Seaboard) at Visakhapatnam. A gunnery specialist and an alumnus of the Naval War College, Goa, he has commanded major Coast Guard vessels, including offshore patrol vessels Sujay and Vajra.

He is a recipient of the Tatrakshak Medal for gallantry and the Director General Indian Coast Guard Commendation.