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No less than 64 individuals died in a police operation cracking down on the Red Command gang in Rio de Janeiro's north zone - the biggest and most lethal operation in the region's records.

Four security agents were among those killed during Operation Containment in the neighborhoods of Alemão and Penha, state officials stated. Over 80 suspects were taken into custody.

Intense confrontations erupted when around 2,500 law enforcement officers initiated the operation on the morning of the operation. The Red Command responded with armed resistance, burning barricades and launching explosives via unmanned aircraft, authorities stated.

The United Nations human rights body expressed being "horrified" by the security action, calling for "swift and comprehensive examinations".

Raid Aftermath

The area of favelas adjacent to the aerial transportation hub is considered to be the central command of a major organised crime groups.

Government representatives said no less than 50 of the deceased were "indicated by police as suspected of being criminals".

Dozens of people were wounded, including innocent bystanders trapped in shooting.

Local Reaction

Community members have compared the hillside area - inhabited by approximately 300,000 people - to a "battlefield" since the operation began.

Roads remain closed in the entire neighborhood.

Criminal Expansion

The criminal network have been expanding their territory across the Rio state, expanding narcotics distribution networks and dominance over the slum communities.

Local law enforcement reported over 200kg (441lb) of narcotics were captured in the mission, together with dozens of firearms.

Mission Context

The combined action by various security forces comes after a extended probe.

Many of the individuals are believed to be participants in an organization from the Pará state who are presently concealed in Rio de Janeiro.

Larger Framework

Extensive security missions are regular in Brazil ahead of significant global gatherings in the country.

The United Nations climate conference the environmental summit is taking place in the northern urban center in November.