During WW2 a favourite Gurkha trick was to sneak up to the enemy (Nipponese) at night. They would then check the boots of the sleeping soldiers. If the laces were crossed they knew them to be Nips. They then cut the head from the man in the middle which caused a drop in morale by the others when they found out.
In Malaya a photo of a Cdo Sgt was discovered. He was holding the head of a dead CT. This caused a stink in parliament and in the press. It was simply normal practise to cut the head and hands off for ID back at base. Stupid politicians failed to understand how difficult it is to carry a body back through thick jungle when on patrol. The order was given for the practise to cease forthwith. This was no problem since the Cdo employed Iban and Dayak head hunters as scouts and trackers. Each one wore the Coveted Green Beret, a singlet and carried their fierce long knives. (Like a panga.) The Ibans did the job so no RM could be blamed. When on leave in Kuala Lumpur the Ibans used to have drink with the Cdos and the local populace was so scared of them they got off the pavement (sidewalk) at the mere sight of them.
In Assam in the rainy season the only method of transport was a Tat (local hill pony) or if lucky an old Wyllis jeep. After the monsoon some of us would meet up. My chum went home one night after a few wets. His Gurkha 'Chowkedar' said, Sahib I have killed a dacoit. Asking in the local language he said ; Where ?
The Gurkha replied in the kitchen and dining room. Thinking there had to be 2 dead he went to inspect. The head was in the dining room and the torso in the kitchen.
In the jungle I came across, wild pig, elephant and rhino. They all left for the high ground in the rainy season. Most came from the Kaziranga game reserve. I also saw several leopards and one tiger. They never worried me but snakes scared me shitless. There was one King Cobra in the bamboo bari next to my primitive accommodation.