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The photographer

A photographer who witnessed the results of a massive Brazilian police operation in Rio de Janeiro has recounted how local people returned with disfigured remains of people who lost their lives.

The bodies "continued arriving: the numbers kept rising", Bruno Itan stated. They included those of police officers.

A particular victim was discovered headless - additional victims were "severely damaged", he said. Several bodies showed what he described as knife injuries.

Over 120 individuals were fatally injured in the Tuesday operation against a criminal group - the bloodiest action the municipality has seen.

Bruno Itan explained that he was first alerted to the raid in the early hours by residents of the Alemão neighbourhood, who contacted him informing him an armed confrontation was occurring.

The eyewitness went to the healthcare center, where the casualties were coming in.

Itan explained that the police prevented journalists from going into the operation zone, where the police action were taking place.

"Police officers formed a line and said: 'The press doesn't get past here'."

However, the photographer, who grew up in the community, reported he succeeded to make his way into the restricted zone, where he continued until the next morning.

He explained that evening, local residents commenced searching the elevated terrain that borders the community of Penha and the nearby Alemão neighbourhood for relatives who had been missing following the security action.

Community members from the Penha area arranged the discovered victims in an open area - and Itan's photos display the emotions of the gathered crowd.

"The harsh reality of it all affected me deeply: the grief of relatives, parents losing consciousness, pregnant wives, weeping, furious relatives," the eyewitness remembered.

Bruno Itan

The official of Rio state declared that the massive police operation deploying about 2,500 officers was designed to stopping a gang referred to as the criminal faction from growing their influence.

Originally, state authorities maintained that sixty alleged criminals along with four officers" lost their lives in the raid.

Authorities later reported that initial estimates shows that 117 individuals were fatally injured.

The legal assistance organization, that gives legal support to low-income residents, has put the total number of casualties at 132.

Per investigative findings, Red Command represents the unique criminal entity that in the past few years has been able to increase its control throughout Rio state.

Experts commonly view as a major illegal faction in Brazil, in company with another major gang, and has a history dating back more than 50 years.

Based on reporter an expert, with extensive experience documenting crime in Rio extensively, Red Command "works as a system" with area gang leaders joining the organization and serving as "commercial associates".

The gang focuses mainly on illegal drug trade, additionally trafficking firearms, precious metals, energy resources, alcohol cigarettes.

According to the authorities, criminal affiliates have substantial firearms and authorities stated that while the action was underway, they faced assaults from explosive-laden drones.

The state leader of the state, the political leader, described Red Command members as "narcoterrorists" and referred to the four police officers who died during the operation as courageous individuals.

But the number of casualties in the security action has come in for criticism with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights saying it was "horrified".

At a news conference the following day, the official supported law enforcement.

"There was no objective to result in deaths. We aimed to take suspects into custody without harm," he declared.

He added that the situation intensified due to the alleged criminals fought back: "It was a consequence of the retaliation they executed and the disproportionate use of force from the gang members."

The state leader further reported that the casualties presented by community members in the area were "altered".

Through a message through digital channels, he asserted that certain victims had been taken of military-style attire that he stated they possessed "in order to shift blame to security forces".

A police official of Rio's civil police force also said that military attire, protective equipment, and firearms" had been removed from the victims and showed footage seemingly depicting a person removing tactical gear {off a corpse