Gujarat Police chief Amitabh Pathak, who was holidaying in Thailand with his family, died of a heart attack on Friday. Pathak, 58, was swimming when he suffered a massive cardiac arrest, said officials of the Indian Embassy in Bangkok.

Indian Ambassador Anil Wadhwa said the mission was extending all assistance to Pathak's family.

Pathak had gone to Thailand with his family for a vacation. He is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter.

An IPS officer of the 1977 batch, Pathak was appointed Director General of Police of Gujarat on February 27, 2013.

On Independence Day, Pathak fainted while standing near the podium where Chief Minister Narendra Modi was delivering his speech at Bhuj in Gujarat. At the time, he said he suddenly felt fatigued and fell down.