Brazil violence: At least 18 killed in police raid on Rio favela

BBC News:-

Police in Brazil say 18 people have been killed during a raid against a criminal gang that controls one of Rio de Janeiro’s most violent favelas.

Four hundred heavily-armed military police were deployed to the Alemão favela in the early hours of Thursday.

Sixteen of the dead were suspected criminals, while a police officer and a bystander were the other two victims, officials said.

The operation lasted all day and left thousands trapped in their homes.

The objective of the raid was to locate and arrest criminals who were planning operations in rival slums, police said.

Some of the targets were wearing uniforms similar to military police, which made them harder to spot, local media outlet O Dia reported.

The 400 officers were backed up by 10 bullet-proof vehicles and four helicopters.