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The photographer

An eyewitness who witnessed the consequences of an extensive law enforcement action in Rio de Janeiro has reported how residents came back with mutilated bodies of the deceased individuals.

The casualties "kept piling up: 25, 30, 35, 40, 45...", the eyewitness stated. They included security forces.

A particular victim was found without a head - additional victims were "completely mutilated", he reported. Several bodies showed evidence of blade trauma.

Over 120 individuals lost their lives during the security action on a criminal gang - the deadliest such raid Rio has experienced.

The photographer stated that residents first notified him to the raid Tuesday morning by community members of the Alemão neighbourhood, who sent him messages informing him gunfire had erupted.

The reporter made his way to the healthcare center, where the bodies were arriving.

Itan explained that security forces prevented journalists from entering the affected area, where the police action was under way.

"Law enforcement personnel created a barrier and declared: 'Journalists cannot proceed beyond this point'."

Nevertheless, the eyewitness, who spent his childhood in the area, explained he was able to make his way into the cordoned-off area, where he remained through the night.

He reported that Tuesday night, area inhabitants began to search the mountainous area which divides the community of Penha and the adjacent Alemão area for family members who had been missing following the security action.

Community members of the Penha neighbourhood organized the recovered bodies in a square - the photographer's images display the reaction of those present.

"The violence of the situation affected me deeply: the pain of relatives, parents losing consciousness, expectant spouses, crying, angry family members," the reporter recounted.

Bruno Itan

The state leader of the state declared that the extensive law enforcement effort deploying about 2,500 law enforcement members was intended to preventing an illegal organization known as Red Command from increasing their control.

Originally, the Rio state government stated that sixty individuals and four police officers" had been killed during the action.

They have since said that their "preliminary" count indicates that 117 individuals have been killed.

Rio's public defender's office, which provides legal assistance to disadvantaged individuals, has calculated the total number of fatalities at 132.

According to researchers, the criminal organization is the only criminal group which in recent years has succeeded to make territorial gains in the state of Rio de Janeiro.

It is widely considered one of the two largest gangs nationally, in company with a rival criminal group, and has a history spanning over five decades.

Based on correspondent an expert, who has been covering criminal activity in the city extensively, Red Command "operates like a franchise" with area gang leaders forming part of the gang and serving as "commercial associates".

The organization focuses mainly on drug trafficking, while also dealing in guns, precious metals, petroleum products, beverages and tobacco.

According to the authorities, gang members have substantial firearms and officials reported that during the raid, they faced assaults from explosive-laden drones.

The state leader of Rio state, Cláudio Castro, described organization participants as criminal extremists and referred to the law enforcement personnel fatally injured in the action as brave public servants.

However, the count of casualties in the security action has come in for criticism from international human rights authorities saying it was "shocked".

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

"There was no objective to cause fatalities. We wanted to detain everyone safely," he said.

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

The official further reported that the casualties shown by residents in Penha were "altered".

Through a message through digital channels, he said that particular individuals had been removed of military-style attire that he stated they possessed "to transfer accusation to security forces".

A police official from the police department further reported that "camouflage clothing, protective equipment, and arms" had been removed from the casualties and showed footage apparently demonstrating a person removing tactical gear {off a corpse