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The photographer

A reporter who observed the results of an extensive security raid in Rio de Janeiro has recounted how local people returned with mutilated bodies of people who lost their lives.

The casualties "continued arriving: the numbers kept rising", the eyewitness stated. Among them were those of police officers.

One of the bodies was found without a head - additional victims were "totally disfigured", he explained. Many also had evidence of blade trauma.

More than 120 people lost their lives during the security action against a criminal group - the most lethal operation Rio has experienced.

Bruno Itan stated that he initially learned concerning the action in the early hours by local people from the Alemão area, who reached out informing him there was a shoot-out.

The photographer made his way to the Getúlio Vargas hospital, where the bodies were being brought.

The eyewitness reported that the police prevented journalists from accessing the affected area, where the security measures were occurring.

"Security forces formed a line and said: 'Journalists doesn't get past here'."

However, the photographer, who was raised in that neighborhood, explained he succeeded to make his way into the cordoned-off area, where he stayed through the night.

He described that Tuesday night, community members started looking the mountainous area that borders Penha from the nearby Alemão neighbourhood for loved ones who had been missing after the operation.

Residents of the Penha neighbourhood arranged the located casualties in an open area - the photographer's images show the emotions of the gathered crowd.

"The harsh reality of what occurred shook me deeply: the grief of the families, women collapsing, expectant spouses, crying, furious relatives," the eyewitness remembered.

The photographer

The governor of the state announced that the extensive law enforcement effort deploying about 2,500 law enforcement members was designed to stopping an illegal organization referred to as Red Command from increasing their control.

Initially, state authorities claimed that sixty individuals and four police officers" had been killed in the operation.

Officials subsequently stated that their "preliminary" count suggests that 117 alleged criminals were fatally injured.

Rio's public defender's office, that gives legal support to disadvantaged individuals, has calculated the final tally of fatalities as 132.

Per investigative findings, the gang represents the unique criminal entity that in the past few years has succeeded to increase its control across the region.

It is generally regarded one of the two largest gangs nationally, alongside First Capital Command, with a background extending half a century.

Based on Brazilian journalist an expert, who has been covering criminal activity in the city for years, the criminal organization "operates like a franchise" with local criminal leaders forming part of the gang and becoming "commercial associates".

The criminal group engages primarily in drug trafficking, while also dealing in guns, gold, energy resources, liquor smoking products.

Per law enforcement statements, criminal affiliates are well armed and police said that during the raid, they encountered resistance from explosive-laden drones.

The governor of the region, the political leader, characterized gang affiliates as "narcoterrorists" and described the four police officers fatally injured in the action as brave public servants.

But the number of casualties in the operation has received condemnation from UN human rights officials stating they were "shocked".

During a press briefing the following day, the official defended the police force.

"It wasn't our intention to result in deaths. We aimed to take suspects into custody without harm," he declared.

He added that the events had escalated because the suspects fought back: "It occurred of the retaliation they implemented and the overwhelming response from the gang members."

The official further reported that the bodies shown by residents in Penha were "altered".

Via a statement on social media, he said that particular individuals had been removed of tactical gear that he stated they possessed "to transfer accusation onto the police".

A police official from the police department additionally stated that "camouflage clothing, vests, and weapons" were taken away from the bodies and displayed evidence apparently demonstrating a person stripping military attire {off a corpse