India, Nov. 3 -- In the top job of Punjab Police since July 2022, Gaurav Yadav, 57, has been dealing with a raft of law and order challenges unique to the border state, chiefly drugs, terror modules and gangsters - the issues now at the centerstage of a polarised political discourage ahead of the assembly elections. Known as a tough-as-nails officer, he is now longest serving Punjab DGP after KPS Gill in the 90s. In an hour-long interaction on Monday with HT staffers, moderated by Executive Editor Ramesh Vinayak, Yadav spoke on his force's successes and challenges. Edited excerpts:

Ahead of the assembly elections, drugs and law and order are at the centre of political discourse in Punjab. While the state government claims control over bo...