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Bruno Itan

A reporter who observed the aftermath of a large-scale Brazilian police operation in the metropolitan area has recounted how community members came back with mutilated bodies of the deceased individuals.

The casualties "continued arriving: the numbers kept rising", the eyewitness reported. They included security forces.

One individual was found without a head - additional victims were "severely damaged", he explained. Several bodies showed evidence of knife injuries.

More than 120 people lost their lives during the security action against a criminal group - the bloodiest action in the city.

The eyewitness explained that he initially learned concerning the action Tuesday morning by community members living in Alemão, who reached out telling him gunfire had erupted.

The reporter went to a local medical facility, where the bodies were coming in.

The photographer stated that security forces blocked media personnel from entering the affected area, where the security measures were occurring.

"Law enforcement personnel established a perimeter and declared: 'Journalists doesn't get past here'."

However, the photographer, who grew up in that neighborhood, stated he was able to gain access past the security perimeter, where he stayed until the next morning.

He reported that evening, community members began to search the elevated terrain that separates Penha from the nearby Alemão neighbourhood for loved ones whose whereabouts were unknown following the security action.

Community members of the Penha neighbourhood proceeded to place the located casualties in an open area - the documented evidence show the reaction of the people there.

"The violence of the situation shook me deeply: the sorrow of loved ones, mothers fainting, expectant spouses, crying, furious relatives," the photographer recalled.

Bruno Itan

The state leader of the state declared that the extensive law enforcement effort involving around 2,500 law enforcement members was intended to halting a criminal group referred to as the criminal faction from growing their influence.

Initially, state authorities stated that sixty individuals plus four law enforcement personnel" were fatally injured during the action.

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

The public legal service, which provides legal assistance to low-income residents, has estimated the final tally of fatalities at 132.

Based on expert analysis, Red Command stands as the sole illegal faction that recently has been able to expand its territory in the state of Rio de Janeiro.

It is generally regarded one of the two largest gangs in Brazil, alongside a rival criminal group, featuring a timeline spanning over five decades.

According to correspondent an expert, who has long reported on crime in Rio for years, Red Command "operates like a franchise" with area gang leaders joining the organization and acting as "commercial associates".

The organization focuses mainly on illegal drug trade, while also dealing in firearms, precious metals, fuel, alcohol cigarettes.

Based on official reports, criminal affiliates possess significant weaponry and police said that throughout the operation, they faced assaults from explosive-laden drones.

The governor of Rio state, the political leader, labeled gang affiliates as drug terrorists and described the security forces fatally injured in the action as courageous individuals.

Nevertheless, the total of people killed in the operation has faced scrutiny from international human rights authorities expressing they felt "appalled".

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

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

He further explained that the circumstances had escalated due to the alleged criminals had retaliated: "It was a consequence of the counterattack they implemented and the disproportionate use of force from the gang members."

The state leader also said that the casualties presented by community members in the neighborhood were "altered".

Via a statement through digital channels, he asserted that particular individuals had been stripped of military-style attire which he claimed they wore "to redirect responsibility onto the police".

Felipe Curi representing security forces additionally stated that tactical gear, vests, and firearms" were stripped from the casualties and showed footage seemingly depicting an individual stripping military attire {off a corpse