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The photographer

A photographer who observed the aftermath of a large-scale law enforcement action in the metropolitan area has described how residents returned with badly injured victims of those who had died.

The bodies "kept piling up: 25, 30, 35, 40, 45...", the eyewitness described. The total contained security forces.

One of the bodies was found without a head - while others appeared "completely mutilated", he said. Several bodies showed evidence of blade trauma.

In excess of 120 victims were fatally injured during the security action targeting an illegal organization - the most lethal operation in the city.

The photographer reported that he was first alerted about the operation early on Tuesday by residents of the Alemão neighbourhood, who sent him messages alerting him there was a shoot-out.

The reporter went to the healthcare center, where the bodies were coming in.

Itan explained that law enforcement stopped members of the press from entering the operation zone, where the police action were taking place.

"Law enforcement personnel created a barrier and announced: 'Media representatives doesn't get past here'."

But Itan, who spent his childhood in the community, reported he succeeded to make his way into the cordoned-off area, where he continued until the next morning.

He reported during the night, local residents commenced searching the mountainous area that borders the community of Penha and the adjacent Alemão area for family members who were unaccounted for following the security action.

Residents of the Penha neighbourhood proceeded to place the discovered victims in a square - the documented evidence show the emotions of those present.

"The brutality of the situation affected me a lot: the pain of relatives, parents losing consciousness, women carrying children, crying, angry family members," the reporter recounted.

Bruno Itan

The state leader of the state announced that the massive police operation involving around 2,500 officers was designed to stopping a criminal group referred to as the criminal faction from growing their influence.

At first, local officials maintained that "60 suspects along with four officers" were fatally injured during the action.

They have since said that early calculations indicates that 117 alleged criminals lost their lives.

The legal assistance organization, that gives legal support to the poor, has calculated the overall count of fatalities as 132.

Based on expert analysis, the gang stands as the sole illegal faction that in the past few years has managed to increase its control across the region.

It is generally regarded among the biggest criminal organizations nationally, alongside a rival criminal group, featuring a timeline dating back more than 50 years.

Based on correspondent an expert, who has long reported on criminal activity in the city over many years, the criminal organization "functions as a network" with neighborhood bosses forming part of the gang and serving as "operational allies".

The criminal group focuses mainly on drug trafficking, additionally trafficking firearms, precious metals, energy resources, beverages and tobacco.

Per law enforcement statements, gang members possess significant weaponry and authorities stated that throughout the operation, they came under attack from explosive-laden drones.

The governor of the region, the government representative, characterized organization participants as "narcoterrorists" and described the security forces who died during the operation as courageous individuals.

Nevertheless, the total of fatalities in the security action has faced scrutiny from international human rights authorities stating they were "appalled".

At a news conference on Wednesday, the state leader justified security actions.

"We did not plan to result in deaths. We intended to take suspects into custody without harm," he stated.

He added that the circumstances had escalated due to the alleged criminals had retaliated: "It resulted of the retaliation they carried out and the overwhelming response by the illegal group."

The governor additionally stated that the casualties displayed by locals in the area had been "tampered with".

Via a statement through digital channels, he said that particular individuals had been taken of the camouflage clothing which he claimed they wore "in order to shift blame toward law enforcement".

A police official from the police department also said that tactical gear, vests, and firearms" were taken away from the victims and showed footage apparently demonstrating a person removing tactical gear {off a corpse