What's the NEWS
• The Battle of Kangla Tongbi, considered one of the fiercest battles of World War II, was fought by Ordnance personnel of 221 Advance Ordnance Depot (AOD) on the night of 6/7 April 1944.

Know! all about the battle
• Japanese forces had planned a three pronged offensive to capture Imphal and the surrounding areas.

• In their attempt to extend their line of communication to Imphal, the 33rd Japanese Division cut in behind the 17th Indian Division at Tiddim (Mynmar) and establishing themselves firmly on the main Kohima - Manipur highway, started advancing towards Kangla Tongbi.

• Here at Kangla Tongbi, a small but determined detachment of 221 AOD put up stiff resistance against the advancing Japanese forces.

• The position of 221 AOD was not at all sound from a tactical point of view. It was exposed to the enemy from all sides and had to rely on its own combatant manpower for its defence.

• On 06 Apr 1944, orders were received to evacuate 4,000 tons of ammunition, armaments and other warlike stores. On the night of 6/7 Apr 1944, the Japanese mounted a heavy attack on the Depot, rushing downhill into a deep nallah which was used as a covered approach to the Depot. A very well camouflaged bunker had been sited by the Depot on this approach.

• The Bren Gun Section in this bunker having spotted an enemy section within range, opened fire. This shook the enemy and forced the Japanese to withdraw leaving many dead. The Bren Gun was manned by none other than Hav/ Clerk Store Basant Singh.

• For this act of gallantry, Major Boyd was awarded the Military Cross (MC), Conductor Panken, the Military Medal (MM) and Hav/ Clerk Store Basant Singh, the Indian Distinguished Service Medal (IDSM).

• The Kangla Tongbi War Memorial is a mute testimony to this battle and the unflinching devotion to duty of the Ordnance personnel of 221 AOD, 19 of whom made the supreme sacrifice.

• The Platinum Jubilee of the Battle of Kangla Tongbi War was commemorated on 07 Apr 2019 by Army Ordnance Corps at Kangla Tongbi War Memorial near Imphal honouring the valiant brave hearts of Ordnance Personnel of 221 Advance Ordnance Depot who made their supreme sacrifice in the line of duty during the battle of World War-II on the night of 6/ 7 April 1944

Indian Army gets first batch of Dhanush artillery guns

Relevance IN - Prelims( about the artillery gun - Dhanush)

What's the NEWS

• The Indian Army on April 8, 2019 received its first batch of Dhanush artillery guns a formal function organised at GCF, Jabalpur. The gun, which has a calibre of 155x45mm, is the first ever indigenous artillery gun of this calibre.

Know! more about the guns
• The Dhanush gun system is based on Bofors acquired in the 1980s and whose purchase was mired in controversy because of alleged corruption. The gun system is expected to significantly enhance the Army's firepower.
• The Dhanush with a calibre of 155x45mm is classified as 'medium artillery'. The medium regiments of the Indian army's artillery arm consist of guns of this calibre and of 130mm calibre.

• The Bofors, which had played a crucial role in targeting Pakistani military positions during the 1999 Kargil War and has similar a 155mm caliber, is part of such regiments.

• Dhanush is a new generation towed artillery gun with major upgraded features over the existing 155/39 cal. FH 77 B02 gun.

• The gun system will be deployed along India's borders with Pakistan and China. It can be employed in all types of terrains.

• Dhanush has been designed and developed by the Ordnance Factory Board at the Gun Carriage Factory at Jabalpur based on the Bofors drawings.

• The OFB had received the bulk production clearance of manufacturing of 114 guns on February 18, among which six have been handed over for issuance to the Indian Army.

Indian Army to test AK-203 in carbine role

What's the NEWS

• The Indian Army is planning to use a modified version of the AK-203 assault rifle in carbine role for its troops deployed during counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir.

Know! about the AK- 293

• The AK-203 assault rifle would be manufactured at Uttar Pradesh's Amethi facility in a joint venture between the Ordnance Factory Board and Russia.
• The assault rifle would be provided to troops for carrying out anti-terrorist operations. A separate tender is being floated to buy 93,000 carbines under fast track procedure.

• The Indian army is looking to try out the AK-203 in the carbine role. According to the army, more modifications can be done in the AK-203 to suit the carbine role requirement.

• The carbines are useful in close quarter combat and can be highly effective during operations like room interventions.

Economic Development

Lakshmi Vilas Bank announces merger with Indiabulls Housing Finance

Relevance IN - Prelims( about the merger) + Mains ( GS III economic developments)

What's the NEWS
• The Board of private sector lender, Lakshmi Vilas Bank Ltd (LVB) on April 5, 2019 approved its merger with the mortgage financier, Indiabulls Housing Finance Ltd in an all stock deal.

Know! more about the developments

• As per the ‘Scheme of Amalgamation' approved by the LVB board, for every 100 shares of Laxmi Vilas Bank held, shareholders will receive 14 shares of Indiabulls Housing Finance.

• The merger now awaits the approval of the Reserve Bank of India.

• This is not the first time that the Lakshmi Vilas Bank has announced its merger. Earlier in 2014, the bank proposed its merger with the Indiabulls Housing Finance; however it was rejected by the RBI.

• The merged entity will be named as ‘Indiabulls Lakshmi Vilas Bank' and will be among the top eight private banks in India by size.

• The shareholders of Indiabulls will own 90.5 percent of the amalgamated entity while those of Lakshmi Vilas Bank will hold the balance 9.5 percent.

• The stake of Indiabulls Founder and Chairman Sameer Gehlaut will come down from 21.5 percent to 19.5 percent and to below 15 percent before the merger is effective. Gehlaut is likely to take over as the Vice-Chairman of the amalgamated entity.

• Indiabulls's Vice-Chairman and Managing Director Gagan Banga and LVB's Managing Director Parthasarathi Mukherjee will be Joint Managing Directors.

• Indiabulls's board constituted a reorganisation committee headed by Independent Director and former RBI Deputy Governor SS Mundra as a step towards the proposed merger.

Benefits from this merger
• The merger will give a pan-India presence to the LVB and Indiabulls get access to low-cost stable funds and an entry into banking. Indiabulls Housing Finance, India's second largest housing finance firm, had applied for a banking licence in 2013 but it turned out to be futile.

• The merger is expected to create a high capital base for strong growth, and a huge opportunity for both the entities to venture into newer businesses.

Other mergers in similar segment
• It is not the first time that a Bank has announced its merger with a financier. There have been a few mergers on the similar lines lately including the merger of GRUH Finance with Bandhan Bank, Capital First with IDFC Bank and Bharat Financial Inclusion with IndusInd Bank.


Defence
Army Commanders' Conference 2019

What's the NEWS
• The biannual Army Commanders' Conference 2019 began on April 8, 2019 in New Delhi. The opening address was delivered by the Defence Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman.

• The conference will go on till April 14, 2019 and will be chaired by General Bipin Rawat, Chief of the Army Staff.

Highlights of the Army Commanders' Conference 2019

• The senior commanders will deliberate upon specific issues pertaining to Army formations and Army as a whole.

• The conference will witness discussions over a few important issues including management of the extant security dynamics, mitigation of future security threats and enhancement of combat over potential opponents.

• It will also deliberate on issues like infrastructure development for capacity enhancement along the Northern borders, review of strategic railway lines, issues related to Border Road Organization projects, and operations, administration and welfare of troops.

Know! about Army Commanders' Conference

• ‘The Army Commanders' Conference is held biannually for formulating important policy decisions through collegiate deliberations.

• It is an important event for planning and execution process of the Indian Army.
• The conference is chaired by the Chief of the Army Staff.

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