Additional Director General AK Harbola joined Indian Coast Guard (ICG) in Jan 1989 as a Direct Entry Officer. A ‘silver medalist’ in physics from Kumaun University, Nainital, he also holds ‘Master Degree’ in Management Studies from Osmania University, that in ‘Security and Strategic Studies’ from Madras University and PG Diploma in Educational Administration & Supervision from Annamalai University. He is specialized ‘Naval Communicator’. He has served approximately 16 years in sea going appointments in almost all types of ships held with ICG.
 

The Flag Officer has commanded all types of Coast Guard Ships including Hovercraft. In 1999, the officer while commanding Coast Guard Ship Tarabai, apprehended hijacked Japanese merchant vessel ‘Alondra Rainbow’ alongwith hijackers after a chase for almost 750kms in Arabian Sea, a maritime record , sort of. He was awarded ‘Tatrakshak Medal’ (TM) for ‘Gallantry’ by the Hon’ble President of India for the same. He also been commended by the Director General of Indian Coast Guard (DGICG).
 

His important appointments ashore include Commander for CG District of Maharashtra and that for Andhra Pradesh. He has also served as Coast Guard Advisor (CGA) to the DGICG. In his Flag rank, he was appointed Chief Of Staff at The Headquarters Coast Guard Eastern Seaboard at Visakhapatnam. Commander, Coast Guard Region (North East) at Kolkata and thereafter Commander Coast Guard Region (North West) at Gandhinagar prior assuming present assignment at Mumbai. During his tenure as COMCG(NW), Narcotics worth Rs. 3,315 Cr in 11 Ops were apprehended alongwith 211 intruders.
 

The Officer is an alumnus of US Coast Guards International Maritime Officer’s school, York Town, Virginia, College of Defence Management, Secunderabad and that of National Defence College, New Delhi. He is also a qualified a Interviewing Officer (IO) from Defence Institute of Psychological Research (DIPR), New Delhi. Currently, the Flag Officer is pursuing Ph.D in Maritime Affairs from RashtriyaRaksha University, Gandhinagar.
 

A Native of Dwarahat in Uttarakhand, the officer is married to Kavita, the couple has two daughters.