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The eyewitness

A photographer who witnessed the consequences of an extensive security raid in the Brazilian city has described how residents returned with disfigured remains of people who lost their lives.

The casualties "continued arriving: the numbers kept rising", the photographer reported. The total contained security forces.

One of the bodies was found without a head - others were "severely damaged", he explained. Numerous victims displayed what he described as knife injuries.

In excess of 120 victims were fatally injured during the security action targeting an illegal organization - the deadliest such raid the municipality has seen.

Bruno Itan explained that he initially learned to the raid early on Tuesday by residents of the Alemão neighbourhood, who contacted him informing him gunfire had erupted.

The reporter made his way to a local medical facility, where the casualties were coming in.

The eyewitness reported that security forces prevented journalists from accessing the affected area, where the security measures were occurring.

"Police officers created a barrier and declared: 'Media representatives doesn't get past here'."

But Itan, who grew up in the area, stated he succeeded to enter into the restricted zone, where he remained until the next morning.

He explained during the night, community members started looking the elevated terrain that separates the Penha neighborhood from the neighboring Alemão community for loved ones whose whereabouts were unknown after the operation.

Residents from the Penha area arranged the located casualties in a square - the documented evidence show the reaction of the people there.

"The violence of the situation impacted me deeply: the pain of loved ones, women collapsing, women carrying children, sobbing, furious relatives," the photographer recalled.

The photographer

The state leader of the state announced that the massive police operation with approximately 2,500 security personnel was designed to preventing an illegal organization known as Comando Vermelho from growing their influence.

Initially, local officials stated that "60 suspects along with four officers" had been killed in the operation.

They have since said that initial estimates indicates that 117 alleged criminals were fatally injured.

The legal assistance organization, that gives legal support to low-income residents, has calculated the final tally of people killed at 132.

Per investigative findings, Red Command is the only criminal group which in recent years has succeeded to increase its control across the region.

It is generally regarded as a major illegal faction in the country, in company with First Capital Command, with a background extending half a century.

Per Brazilian journalist Rafael Soares, with extensive experience documenting illegal operations in Rio over many years, Red Command "functions as a network" with area gang leaders joining the organization and serving as "operational allies".

The organization engages primarily in narcotics distribution, while also dealing in firearms, valuable minerals, fuel, beverages smoking products.

According to the authorities, gang members are well armed and authorities stated that throughout the operation, they faced assaults from explosive-laden drones.

The governor of the region, the political leader, labeled Red Command members as criminal extremists and called the security forces who died during the operation as brave public servants.

However, the count of casualties during the raid has received condemnation from UN human rights officials expressing they felt "horrified".

At a news conference on Wednesday, the official supported law enforcement.

"We did not plan to kill anyone. We aimed to detain everyone safely," he stated.

He added that the situation worsened due to the alleged criminals had retaliated: "It resulted of the resistance they executed and the disproportionate use of force from the gang members."

The official additionally stated that the casualties shown by residents in Penha had been "manipulated".

In a post on online platforms, he said that certain victims had been taken of tactical gear that he stated they possessed "in order to shift blame toward law enforcement".

A law enforcement representative from the police department also said that tactical gear, protective equipment, and arms" were stripped from the casualties and displayed evidence seemingly depicting an individual cutting camouflage clothing {off a corpse