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The photographer

A photographer who observed the results of an extensive law enforcement action in the metropolitan area has recounted how residents came back with mutilated bodies of the deceased individuals.

The bodies "continued arriving: the numbers kept rising", the eyewitness reported. They included those of police officers.

One of the bodies was discovered headless - additional victims were "severely damaged", he reported. Numerous victims displayed what appeared to be stab wounds.

In excess of 120 victims lost their lives during the security action targeting an illegal organization - the most lethal operation Rio has experienced.

Bruno Itan reported that he was first alerted about the operation early on Tuesday by residents living in Alemão, who reached out informing him there was a shoot-out.

The reporter went to a local medical facility, where the victims were being brought.

Itan explained that security forces prevented journalists from going into the Penha neighborhood, where the operation were taking place.

"Security forces established a perimeter and said: 'Media representatives cannot proceed beyond this point'."

However, the photographer, who was raised in the community, reported he managed to enter past the security perimeter, where he continued until dawn.

He described that evening, area inhabitants started looking the mountainous area that separates the community of Penha and the adjacent Alemão area for loved ones whose whereabouts were unknown following the security action.

Local people from the Penha area organized the located casualties in a public space - and Itan's photos reveal the emotions of the gathered crowd.

"The harsh reality of the situation shook me deeply: the sorrow of the families, parents losing consciousness, expectant spouses, sobbing, angry family members," the photographer recalled.

The photographer

The state leader of the state declared that the massive police operation with approximately 2,500 officers was aimed at halting a criminal group called the criminal faction from growing their influence.

At first, local officials claimed that "60 suspects plus four law enforcement personnel" had been killed in the operation.

Authorities later reported that initial estimates indicates that 117 individuals have been killed.

Rio's public defender's office, that offers legal help to the poor, has calculated the overall count of casualties at 132.

Based on expert analysis, the criminal organization represents the unique criminal entity that in the past few years has succeeded to make territorial gains across the region.

It is widely considered one of the two largest gangs nationally, in company with a rival criminal group, and has a history dating back more than 50 years.

Based on Brazilian journalist Rafael Soares, with extensive experience documenting crime in Rio over many years, the gang "operates like a franchise" with local criminal leaders affiliating with the group and serving as "business partners".

The criminal group concentrates largely on narcotics distribution, but also smuggles weapons, valuable minerals, fuel, liquor smoking products.

Based on official reports, criminal affiliates have substantial firearms and officials reported that during the raid, they came under attack from explosive-laden drones.

The official of the region, the political leader, labeled gang affiliates as criminal extremists and called the security forces who died during the operation as "heroes".

However, the count of casualties during the raid has come in for criticism from international human rights authorities stating they were "shocked".

In a media appearance the next day, the official defended the police force.

"It wasn't our intention to cause fatalities. We wanted to arrest them all alive," he stated.

He further explained that the situation worsened as the individuals had retaliated: "It was a consequence of the resistance they executed and the overwhelming response by the illegal group."

The governor further reported that the victims presented by community members in the neighborhood were "altered".

Through a message on social media, he claimed that particular individuals had been taken of tactical gear he said they had been wearing "to redirect responsibility toward law enforcement".

A law enforcement representative representing security forces further reported that military attire, body armor, and firearms" were stripped from the victims and displayed evidence apparently demonstrating a person cutting camouflage clothing {off a corpse