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Bruno Itan

A photographer who observed the aftermath of an extensive law enforcement action in Rio de Janeiro has reported how local people brought back disfigured remains of the deceased individuals.

The casualties "kept coming: the count kept increasing", Bruno Itan described. Among them were law enforcement personnel.

One of the bodies had been decapitated - others were "completely mutilated", he said. Numerous victims displayed what appeared to be stab wounds.

Over 120 individuals lost their lives during the security action targeting an illegal organization - the most lethal operation Rio has experienced.

The photographer reported that he initially learned to the raid early on Tuesday by residents living in Alemão, who contacted him telling him an armed confrontation was occurring.

The reporter went to a local medical facility, where the bodies were being brought.

Itan explained that the police prevented journalists from going into the Penha neighborhood, where the police action was under way.

"Police officers formed a line and declared: 'Journalists cannot proceed beyond this point'."

Nevertheless, the eyewitness, who grew up in that neighborhood, explained he managed to enter past the security perimeter, where he continued through the night.

He reported that evening, area inhabitants commenced searching the mountainous area which divides the community of Penha and the neighboring Alemão community for family members whose whereabouts were unknown following the security action.

Residents of the Penha neighbourhood arranged the located casualties in a square - the documented evidence display the reaction of those present.

"The harsh reality of the situation impacted me profoundly: the sorrow of loved ones, parents losing consciousness, pregnant wives, weeping, furious relatives," the eyewitness remembered.

Bruno Itan

The official of Rio state stated that the massive police operation with approximately 2,500 officers was aimed at stopping a criminal group called Comando Vermelho from increasing their control.

Originally, the Rio state government claimed that sixty individuals along with four officers" had been killed in the operation.

Authorities later reported that their "preliminary" count suggests that 117 "suspects" have been killed.

The public legal service, which provides legal assistance to low-income residents, has calculated the overall count of fatalities at 132.

According to researchers, Red Command is the only criminal group that in the past few years has succeeded to expand its territory across the region.

Experts commonly view one of the two largest gangs nationally, alongside another major gang, with a background spanning over five decades.

Based on correspondent a specialist, who has long reported on illegal operations in Rio for years, the criminal organization "works as a system" with local criminal leaders affiliating with the group and becoming "commercial associates".

The criminal group focuses mainly on narcotics distribution, but also smuggles weapons, precious metals, petroleum products, beverages and tobacco.

According to the authorities, gang members are well armed and police said that throughout the operation, they came under attack via weaponized unmanned aircraft.

The governor of the region, Cláudio Castro, characterized gang affiliates as "narcoterrorists" and called the security forces who died during the operation as brave public servants.

But the number of people killed during the raid has received condemnation with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights stating they were "appalled".

During a press briefing the next day, the state leader justified security actions.

"We did not plan to cause fatalities. We aimed to take suspects into custody without harm," he declared.

He continued that the situation intensified because the suspects resisted aggressively: "It was a consequence of the resistance they implemented and the disproportionate use of force by those criminals."

The official additionally stated that the casualties displayed by locals in the area had been "tampered with".

In a post through digital channels, he said that particular individuals had been taken of military-style attire that he stated they possessed "to transfer accusation toward law enforcement".

A police official of Rio's civil police force additionally stated that tactical gear, body armor, and firearms" were taken away from the casualties and showed footage apparently demonstrating an individual cutting camouflage clothing {off a corpse