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The eyewitness

A reporter who observed the aftermath of a large-scale law enforcement action in the metropolitan area has described how residents brought back disfigured remains of the deceased individuals.

The victims "kept coming: the count kept increasing", the photographer reported. Among them were security forces.

A particular victim was discovered headless - while others appeared "severely damaged", he reported. Numerous victims displayed what appeared to be stab wounds.

In excess of 120 victims were killed during the security action against a criminal group - the most lethal operation in the city.

The photographer reported that residents first notified him about the operation Tuesday morning by residents of the Alemão neighbourhood, who contacted him alerting him there was a shoot-out.

The photographer went to the Getúlio Vargas hospital, where the bodies were coming in.

Itan explained that law enforcement prevented journalists from entering the Penha neighborhood, where the police action were taking place.

"Security forces formed a line and said: 'Media representatives are not allowed to pass'."

However, the photographer, who was raised in the area, reported he succeeded to enter into the cordoned-off area, where he continued through the night.

He reported during the night, local residents started looking the mountainous area which divides the community of Penha and the adjacent Alemão area for family members whose whereabouts were unknown following the security action.

Community members from the Penha area proceeded to place the discovered victims in an open area - the photographer's images display the response of the people there.

"The brutality of it all impacted me profoundly: the pain of the families, women collapsing, pregnant wives, sobbing, furious relatives," the eyewitness remembered.

The eyewitness

The governor of Rio state announced that the extensive law enforcement effort with approximately 2,500 law enforcement members was aimed at halting a criminal group known as Red Command from expanding its territory.

At first, local officials stated that sixty individuals plus four law enforcement personnel" had been killed in the operation.

Authorities later reported that their "preliminary" count indicates that 117 "suspects" have been killed.

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

According to researchers, the gang stands as the sole illegal faction that in the past few years has succeeded to make territorial gains throughout Rio state.

It is widely considered among the biggest criminal organizations in the country, together with a rival criminal group, with a background extending half a century.

Based on correspondent an expert, with extensive experience documenting illegal operations in Rio extensively, Red Command "works as a system" with local criminal leaders forming part of the gang and acting as "business partners".

The gang focuses mainly on narcotics distribution, while also dealing in firearms, precious metals, fuel, liquor and tobacco.

Per law enforcement statements, criminal affiliates possess significant weaponry and police said that while the action was underway, they faced assaults using drone-delivered explosives.

The state leader of the state, the political leader, labeled Red Command members as "narcoterrorists" and described the security forces fatally injured in the action as brave public servants.

However, the count of people killed in the security action has received condemnation from UN human rights officials expressing they felt "horrified".

During a press briefing on Wednesday, Governor Castro defended the police force.

"We did not plan to cause fatalities. We wanted to detain everyone safely," he said.

He added that the circumstances had escalated due to the alleged criminals fought back: "It occurred of the counterattack they implemented and the disproportionate use of force from the gang members."

The state leader additionally stated that the victims presented by community members in the area were "altered".

Through a message on social media, he asserted that some of them had been stripped of military-style attire he said they had been wearing "to transfer accusation toward law enforcement".

A police official of Rio's civil police force further reported that tactical gear, vests, and arms" had been removed from the bodies and displayed evidence seemingly depicting a person cutting camouflage clothing {off a corpse