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The eyewitness

A photographer who witnessed the results of an extensive security raid in Rio de Janeiro has reported how local people brought back disfigured remains of the deceased individuals.

The bodies "kept coming: the numbers kept rising", Bruno Itan described. Among them were security forces.

A particular victim was found without a head - others were "completely mutilated", he reported. Many also had what he described as blade trauma.

In excess of 120 victims were killed in the Tuesday operation against a criminal group - the bloodiest action Rio has experienced.

The eyewitness explained that residents first notified him concerning the action Tuesday morning by community members living in Alemão, who contacted him alerting him gunfire had erupted.

The photographer traveled to the healthcare center, where the victims were being brought.

Itan explained that the police blocked media personnel from going into the affected area, where the security measures was under way.

"Law enforcement personnel created a barrier and said: 'The press doesn't get past here'."

Nevertheless, the eyewitness, who grew up in the area, explained he succeeded to make his way into the restricted zone, where he stayed until the next morning.

He reported that evening, community members commenced searching the mountainous area which divides the Penha neighborhood 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 emotions of those present.

"The violence of what occurred affected me profoundly: the sorrow of the families, women collapsing, expectant spouses, weeping, angry family members," the photographer recalled.

The photographer

The state leader of the region stated that the massive police operation with approximately 2,500 officers was designed to preventing a criminal group known as Red Command from expanding its territory.

Initially, the Rio state government stated that sixty individuals along with four officers" were fatally injured in the operation.

They have since said that initial estimates suggests that 117 individuals were fatally injured.

Rio's public defender's office, that offers legal help to disadvantaged individuals, has estimated the final tally of casualties as 132.

According to researchers, Red Command stands as the sole illegal faction that recently has been able to make territorial gains across the region.

Experts commonly view one of the two largest gangs in Brazil, together with a rival criminal group, and has a history dating back more than 50 years.

According to correspondent an expert, who has been covering crime in Rio extensively, the criminal organization "operates like a franchise" with area gang leaders forming part of the gang and acting as "operational allies".

The gang engages primarily in drug trafficking, while also dealing in firearms, valuable minerals, fuel, alcohol cigarettes.

According to the authorities, criminal affiliates have substantial firearms and authorities stated that throughout the operation, they faced assaults using drone-delivered explosives.

The governor of the region, Cláudio Castro, labeled Red Command members as "narcoterrorists" and called the four police officers who died during the operation as "heroes".

However, the count of fatalities during the raid has faced scrutiny from international human rights authorities expressing they felt "appalled".

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

"There was no objective to cause fatalities. We intended to detain everyone safely," he declared.

He further explained that the events worsened because the suspects had retaliated: "It was a consequence of the retaliation they executed and the disproportionate use of force by the illegal group."

The official also said that the victims displayed by locals in Penha had been "manipulated".

In a post on social media, he said that particular individuals had been removed of military-style attire which he claimed they wore "to redirect responsibility to security forces".

A police official representing security forces additionally stated that "camouflage clothing, body armor, and firearms" were stripped from the victims and showed footage apparently demonstrating a person removing tactical gear {off a corpse