This was the terrifying moment an Indian forest official came face-to-face with a rampaging elephant and managed to stop it with a burning torch.

The lone tusker, a known bully in the Redhakhol forest division in eastern India, was trying to raid Chadchadi and Angabira villages on February 14 where farmers have grown vegetables on large tracts of land.

Farmers, who were guarding their crop, confronted the elephant but fled as it charged at them.

That was when Chitta Ranjan Miri, a forest guard, who was tracking the elephant, decided to intervene

Holding a burning torch, he stepped forward to face the rampaging elephant. Though the elephant threatened to attack him, Miri held his nerve and refused to cede any ground.

He waved the torch and as the astonished farmers watched, the elephant backed off and went away.

Manoj Kumar Behera, who filmed the unusual incident, said: “We all fled in fear but the lone forest guard confronted the elephant with just a burning torch. I thought he would be crushed, but surprisingly, the elephant stopped a few feet away. The man did not yield an inch."

"We are trained to drive elephants with minimum force. From my experience I knew elephants fear fire. The elephant stopped at once when it saw the fire and that gave me courage,” said Miri.

Honorary Wildlife Warden, Subhendu Mallik, said: "People usually use petrol bombs and firecrackers to drive elephants away and end up harming the animals. Miri prevented anyone from getting injured with his incredible bravery.”

This was the terrifying moment an Indian forest official came face-to-face with a rampaging elephant and managed to stop it with a burning torch.

The lone tusker, a known bully in the Redhakhol forest division in eastern India, was trying to raid Chadchadi and Angabira villages on February 14 where farmers have grown vegetables on large tracts of land.

Farmers, who were guarding their crop, confronted the elephant but fled as it charged at them.

That was when Chitta Ranjan Miri, a forest guard, who was tracking the elephant, decided to stop the elephant.

Holding a burning torch, he stepped forward to face the rampaging elephant. Though the elephant threatened to attack him, Miri held his nerve and refused to cede any ground.

He waved the torch and as the astonished farmers watched, the elephant backed off and went away.

Manoj Kumar Behera, who filmed the unusual incident, said: “We all fled in fear but the lone forest guard confronted the elephant with just a burning torch. I thought he would be crushed, but surprisingly, the elephant stopped a few feet away. The man did not yield an inch."

Miri said: "We are trained to drive elephants with minimum force. From my experience I knew elephants fear fire. The elephant stopped at once when it saw the fire and that gave me courage.”

Honorary Wildlife Warden, Subhendu Mallik, said: "People usually use petrol bombs and firecrackers to drive elephants away and end up harming the animals. Miri prevented anyone from getting injured with his incredible bravery.”

The elephant has left the villages but is still roaming in the area. Miri is keeping vigil and alerting passersby about the presence of an aggressive male elephant.

Forest officials are also alerting nearby villagers to not venture into the forest till the elephant moves on.