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Bruno Itan

A reporter who documented the results of a large-scale security raid in the Brazilian city has described how residents came back with badly injured victims of those who had died.

The bodies "kept piling up: the numbers kept rising", the eyewitness described. They included security forces.

A particular victim had been decapitated - while others appeared "totally disfigured", he explained. Numerous victims displayed what appeared to be knife injuries.

In excess of 120 victims were killed during Tuesday's raid targeting an illegal organization - the most lethal operation Rio has experienced.

The eyewitness stated that he was first alerted to the raid early on Tuesday by community members of the Alemão neighbourhood, who contacted him informing him gunfire had erupted.

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

Itan explained that security forces prevented journalists from entering the operation zone, where the security measures was under way.

"Police officers created a barrier and declared: 'Media representatives are not allowed to pass'."

Nevertheless, the eyewitness, who grew up in the area, reported he succeeded to enter into the restricted zone, where he remained until dawn.

He reported during the night, community members commenced searching the elevated terrain which divides the community of Penha and the nearby Alemão neighbourhood for relatives who had been missing following the security action.

Residents of the Penha neighbourhood arranged the discovered victims in a square - the photographer's images show the emotions of the people there.

"The violence of what occurred impacted me deeply: the sorrow of loved ones, parents losing consciousness, women carrying children, sobbing, furious relatives," the photographer recalled.

The photographer

The governor of the state stated that the extensive law enforcement effort with approximately 2,500 security personnel was designed to preventing an illegal organization known as Red Command from increasing their control.

At first, the Rio state government maintained that sixty alleged criminals along with four officers" had been killed in the raid.

Officials subsequently stated that early calculations suggests that 117 "suspects" were fatally injured.

Rio's public defender's office, that offers legal help to the poor, has calculated the final tally of people killed as 132.

Based on expert analysis, the gang is the only criminal group that in the past few years has succeeded to expand its territory across the region.

It is generally regarded among the biggest criminal organizations nationally, together with First Capital Command, featuring a timeline dating back more than 50 years.

According to correspondent Rafael Soares, who has long reported on illegal operations in Rio for years, Red Command "works as a system" with local criminal leaders joining the organization and serving as "commercial associates".

The criminal group engages primarily in drug trafficking, but also smuggles guns, precious metals, fuel, alcohol cigarettes.

According to the authorities, gang members possess significant weaponry and police said that while the action was underway, they faced assaults from explosive-laden drones.

The official of the region, the government representative, labeled gang affiliates as "narcoterrorists" and referred to the law enforcement personnel who died during the operation as brave public servants.

However, the count of people killed in the security action has come in for criticism from UN human rights officials stating they were "shocked".

In a media appearance the following day, Governor Castro justified security actions.

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

He further explained that the events had escalated because the suspects had retaliated: "It was a consequence of the counterattack they implemented and the overwhelming response from the gang members."

The official also said that the casualties presented by community members in the area had been "manipulated".

Through a message on online platforms, he asserted that particular individuals had been removed of tactical gear that he stated they possessed "to transfer accusation to security forces".

A police official representing security forces additionally stated that military attire, protective equipment, and weapons" had been removed from the bodies and presented video seemingly depicting a man cutting camouflage clothing {off a corpse