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The photographer

An eyewitness who observed the aftermath of an extensive security raid in Rio de Janeiro has recounted how community members came back with mutilated bodies of those who had died.

The casualties "kept piling up: the count kept increasing", Bruno Itan described. Among them were law enforcement personnel.

One of the bodies was found without a head - others were "severely damaged", he reported. Several bodies showed what appeared to be stab wounds.

In excess of 120 victims lost their lives during Tuesday's raid on a criminal gang - the bloodiest action the municipality has seen.

Bruno Itan stated that he initially learned to the raid Tuesday morning by community members from the Alemão area, who reached out informing him there was a shoot-out.

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

The photographer stated that law enforcement prevented journalists from entering the operation zone, where the police action were taking place.

"Security forces formed a line and said: 'Journalists doesn't get past here'."

Nevertheless, the eyewitness, who grew up in the community, explained he succeeded to enter past the security perimeter, where he stayed until dawn.

He explained that Tuesday night, local residents started looking the elevated terrain that separates the community of Penha and the neighboring Alemão community for loved ones who had been missing following the security action.

Residents living in Penha arranged the discovered victims in an open area - and Itan's photos show the reaction of the people there.

"The violence of what occurred impacted me deeply: the pain of the families, women collapsing, pregnant wives, sobbing, outraged parents," the photographer recalled.

The eyewitness

The governor of the state stated that the large-scale security action with approximately 2,500 officers was intended to preventing an illegal organization known as the criminal faction from growing their influence.

Initially, local officials maintained that sixty individuals plus four law enforcement personnel" had been killed in the operation.

They have since said that their "preliminary" count shows that 117 alleged criminals have been killed.

The legal assistance organization, that gives legal support to the poor, has put the total number of casualties to be 132.

Per investigative findings, the criminal organization stands as the sole illegal faction that recently has succeeded to increase its control throughout Rio state.

It is generally regarded as a major illegal faction in Brazil, in company with another major gang, featuring a timeline dating back more than 50 years.

Per Brazilian journalist an expert, who has long reported on illegal operations in Rio for years, Red Command "operates like a franchise" with area gang leaders joining the organization and serving as "commercial associates".

The gang concentrates largely on narcotics distribution, but also smuggles guns, precious metals, fuel, alcohol and tobacco.

Per law enforcement statements, gang members are well armed and authorities stated that while the action was underway, they came under attack from explosive-laden drones.

The state leader of Rio state, Cláudio Castro, described gang affiliates as drug terrorists and referred to the law enforcement personnel who died during the operation as "heroes".

But the number of fatalities during the raid has faced scrutiny with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights saying it was "shocked".

In a media appearance on Wednesday, Governor Castro supported law enforcement.

"It wasn't our intention to result in deaths. We aimed to detain everyone safely," he stated.

He further explained that the circumstances had escalated as the individuals fought back: "It was a consequence of the retaliation they implemented and the excessive violence from the gang members."

The official also said that the bodies shown by residents in the area had been "tampered with".

Through a message on social media, he asserted that certain victims had been removed of tactical gear which he claimed they wore "to redirect responsibility toward law enforcement".

A law enforcement representative from the police department further reported that military attire, vests, and weapons" were taken away from the victims and presented video seemingly depicting an individual removing tactical gear {off a corpse