A rough road in countryside. A pall of smoke rises and debris lies around a XXXIII Indian Corps ammunition dump. The remains of ammunition boxes lie around a still smoldering pile. Small explosions go off. A large white cloud of smoke rises into the air. Ammunition boxes are stacked a short distance from the fire.

This sequence appears to be from a celebration of the festival of Dashain. A group of men gather around a calf tied to a post. A traditional hut with open sides is in the background. The ropes are pulled tight so the calf's head is tight against the pole. One of the men in ceremonial costume chops through the calf's neck with one blow of a large kukri knife. A large crowd can be seen gathered around the area; most appear to be Gurkhas in uniform. Another priest splashes water onto the head and body of the calf. The body of the calf is dragged in a circle around the sacrifice pole by five men. A soldier places a loose turban on the head of one of the priests; they stand in front of a table with a shelter built over it from bamboo and palm leaves. Gurkhas line up in the background; two Gurkhas dance, twirling on the spot and waving white handkerchiefs. A sheep is tied up in the same manner as the calf; its back legs are held out and a large kukri is used to chop off its head. The body is dragged round in a circle. A line of four or five Gurkhas hold ducks and other birds. Local children and adults rush to take positions in the crowd. Four of the priests sit around the sacrifice pole. The Gurkha pipe and drum band play. Close-up of the bagpipe player. A sheep is led to the sacrifice pole and tied up. Three sheep are led around the open area in front of the crowd. Another sheep is beheaded and its body is dragged around in a circle; it twitches quite violently and the legs keep running. A calf is led into the circle. A Gurkha dances as others around him clap and beat drums. The calf is now tied up to the pole.

At Imphal in Manipur, India, a fire at an ammunition dump causes small explosions but no damage and Gurkhas of 4th Assam Rifles celebrate the festival of Dashain (Dussehra) with the sacrifice of animals.

Notes

The Dashain festival is a fifteen day long celebration around the rice harvest and is known for emphasis on family gatherings, as well as on a renewal of community ties.

The unit is identified on the dopesheet as 4th Battalion Assam Rifles. The Assam Rifles can trace their history to 1835 and the formation of the Cachar Levy. They were granted the title of 'Assam Rifles' in 1917 following service in the First World War. During the Second World War in Burma the Assam Rifles formed the nucleus of 'V Force', raised to raid Japanese communications, carry out special reconnaissance and foster resistance groups. Other units fought at Kohima and some were trained as paratroopers. Since then the Assam Rifles were the first troops in action during the 1962 Sino-Indian War and have been engaged in counter-insurgency in some of India's north eastern tribal areas. Several battalions of the Assam Rifles were part of 14th Army's independent infantry.