At least 23 people got killed and 4 others injured after an intense shootout between police and suspected drug traffickers in a favela in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) on Thursday.
As per the reports from the Rio de Janeiro Civil Police, 1 police officer died as a result of the shootout and the other 22 killed in the gun battle were apparently members of a criminal organization that active and dominates the Jacarezinho favela.
The gunfight between the police and suspected drug traffickers that happened during early hours on Thursday in the favela was a part of a Civil Police operation against drug trafficking and organized crime in the area.
There are lots of audios and videos circulating on social media that show the intense gunfight and detonation of gas bombs in many parts of the favela and the pictures taken from the helicopters show armed persons fleeing through the roofs and terraces of houses in the area.
The Jacarezinho favela is home to the ‘Red Command’ which is the largest criminal faction in Rio de Janeiro.
Unlike many of Rio’s most populated slums that are located on the hills, the Jacarezinho is in a flat area where criminals have set up barricades to make it difficult for security forces (Police) to access.
