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Bruno Itan

A photographer who documented the consequences of a massive security raid in the metropolitan area has described how community members returned with mutilated bodies of those who had died.

The victims "kept coming: 25, 30, 35, 40, 45...", the eyewitness reported. Among them were law enforcement personnel.

One individual was discovered headless - additional victims were "completely mutilated", he reported. Several bodies showed what appeared to be stab wounds.

In excess of 120 victims were fatally injured in the Tuesday operation on a criminal gang - the deadliest such raid the municipality has seen.

The eyewitness explained that residents first notified him about the operation in the early hours by residents of the Alemão neighbourhood, who reached out telling him an armed confrontation was occurring.

The reporter traveled to a local medical facility, where the casualties were being brought.

Itan explained that law enforcement prevented journalists from accessing the operation zone, where the police action were taking place.

"Law enforcement personnel established a perimeter and announced: 'Media representatives doesn't get past here'."

But Itan, who was raised in the area, reported he succeeded to make his way past the security perimeter, where he continued until dawn.

He described that evening, area inhabitants commenced searching the elevated terrain that separates the community of Penha and the neighboring Alemão community for family members whose whereabouts were unknown following the security action.

Local people living in Penha arranged the recovered bodies in an open area - and Itan's photos reveal the response of the gathered crowd.

"The violence of what occurred shook me deeply: the sorrow of relatives, parents losing consciousness, expectant spouses, weeping, angry family members," the photographer recalled.

The photographer

The official of Rio state announced that the extensive law enforcement effort deploying about 2,500 security personnel was intended to halting a criminal group called Comando Vermelho from expanding its territory.

Initially, state authorities stated that "60 suspects and four police officers" were fatally injured during the action.

Officials subsequently stated that early calculations shows that 117 individuals lost their lives.

Rio's public defender's office, which provides legal assistance to the poor, has put the total number of fatalities as 132.

Based on expert analysis, Red Command represents the unique criminal entity that in the past few years has been able to expand its territory in the state of Rio de Janeiro.

Experts commonly view among the biggest criminal organizations nationally, in company with First Capital Command, with a background spanning over five decades.

Based on correspondent a specialist, with extensive experience documenting criminal activity in the city extensively, the gang "operates like a franchise" with neighborhood bosses forming part of the gang and serving as "business partners".

The gang concentrates largely on illegal drug trade, additionally trafficking weapons, precious metals, fuel, liquor cigarettes.

According to the authorities, organization members 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, labeled Red Command members as criminal extremists and referred to the law enforcement personnel who died during the operation as "heroes".

Nevertheless, the total of fatalities during the raid has faced scrutiny from UN human rights officials expressing they felt "appalled".

During a press briefing on Wednesday, the state leader defended the police force.

"There was no objective to kill anyone. We aimed to take suspects into custody without harm," he stated.

He added that the situation intensified because the suspects fought back: "It resulted of the retaliation they executed and the overwhelming response by the illegal group."

The official also said that the casualties shown by residents in Penha had been "manipulated".

In a post on social media, he claimed 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, protective equipment, and arms" had been removed from the victims and displayed evidence apparently demonstrating a person removing tactical gear {off a corpse