Sadanand Vasant Date, a 1990-batch IPS officer and decorated hero of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, has been appointed the new Director General of Maharashtra Police. Date, who previously headed the National Investigation Agency (NIA), will succeed Rashmi Shukla on January 3 and serve a fixed two-year term. He is recognized for his bravery during the 2008 attacks, where he sustained injuries while confronting terrorists Ajmal Kasab and Abu Ismail.