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The photographer

An eyewitness who observed the results of an extensive security raid in Rio de Janeiro has recounted how local people returned with disfigured remains of those who had died.

The victims "continued arriving: 25, 30, 35, 40, 45...", Bruno Itan described. Among them were those of police officers.

A particular victim was discovered headless - others were "totally disfigured", he said. Many also had evidence of knife injuries.

In excess of 120 victims were fatally injured during Tuesday's raid targeting an illegal organization - the bloodiest action Rio has experienced.

The eyewitness explained that he was first alerted concerning the action Tuesday morning by local people from the Alemão area, who contacted him telling him there was a shoot-out.

The photographer made his way to a local medical facility, where the bodies were arriving.

The photographer stated that security forces stopped members of the press from going into the Penha neighborhood, where the police action was under way.

"Police officers established a perimeter and said: 'Media representatives doesn't get past here'."

However, the photographer, who grew up in the area, stated he was able to gain access into the restricted zone, where he stayed through the night.

He explained that evening, community members commenced searching the elevated terrain that separates the community of Penha and the adjacent Alemão area for relatives who had been missing since the police raid.

Residents of the Penha neighbourhood proceeded to place the discovered victims in a square - and Itan's photos show the response of those present.

"The brutality of the situation affected me a lot: the pain of relatives, parents losing consciousness, women carrying children, crying, angry family members," the eyewitness remembered.

Bruno Itan

The state leader of the region stated that the extensive law enforcement effort involving around 2,500 law enforcement members was designed to halting an illegal organization known as the criminal faction from expanding its territory.

Originally, state authorities maintained that sixty alleged criminals plus four law enforcement personnel" had been killed in the operation.

Officials subsequently stated that their "preliminary" count indicates that 117 individuals have been killed.

The legal assistance organization, that gives legal support to low-income residents, has calculated the overall count of casualties at 132.

According to researchers, the gang stands as the sole illegal faction that recently has been able to expand its territory throughout Rio state.

It is generally regarded one of the two largest gangs nationally, alongside First Capital Command, with a background spanning over five decades.

According to correspondent Rafael Soares, who has long reported on criminal activity in the city extensively, the criminal organization "works as a system" with area gang leaders affiliating with the group and serving as "commercial associates".

The gang engages primarily in illegal drug trade, but also smuggles guns, valuable minerals, petroleum products, beverages cigarettes.

According to the authorities, organization members have substantial firearms and officials reported that while the action was underway, they encountered resistance from explosive-laden drones.

The official of the state, the government representative, labeled Red Command members as criminal extremists and called the security forces fatally injured in the action as courageous individuals.

But the number of fatalities during the raid has received condemnation from international human rights authorities expressing they felt "shocked".

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

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

He continued that the events worsened because the suspects fought back: "It occurred of the resistance they executed and the disproportionate use of force by the illegal group."

The governor also said that the victims displayed by locals in the area had been "manipulated".

In a post through digital channels, he said that particular individuals had been stripped of tactical gear which he claimed they wore "to transfer accusation to security forces".

Felipe Curi representing security forces additionally stated that tactical gear, vests, and weapons" had been removed from the casualties and displayed evidence apparently demonstrating a man removing tactical gear {off a corpse