This is the terrifying moment a wild elephant enters a dining hall at an Indian Army facility.

Army officials blared warning sirens to keep personnel away. They then drove out the intruder bursting crackers.

The incident occurred at Binnaguri cantonment nursing Army Medical Corps in West Bengal, India, mess on July 29.

An official who was present at the spot said there was nothing new about elephants visiting the army station at Binnaguri. “Two years ago an entire herd had entered the campus and even killed a contract worker,” he said.

The Army facility at Binnaguri is nestled amidst tea gardens and forests on the foot hills of western Bhutan.

The lush green foliage, fruit trees and grass attract elephants from the surrounding forests.

“We are used to elephants and know how to deal with them. There is not much human-animal conflict in this area,” said the officer.