At Least 13 Killed In Rio Security Operations: Officials

Rio de Janeiro's drug war hit a bloody crescendo Monday when at least 11 suspected criminals and two soldiers were reported killed in a huge military sweep through impoverished favelas and during a rush-hour police car chase.

Rio de Janeiro, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Aug, 2018 ) :Rio de Janeiro's drug war hit a bloody crescendo Monday when at least 11 suspected criminals and two soldiers were reported killed in a huge military sweep through impoverished favelas and during a rush-hour police car chase.

The military command heading security in Brazil's second biggest city said the two troops killed were the first lost since conservative President Michel Temer sent them into protect Rio.

The military command said 4,200 soldiers, backed by armored vehicles and aircraft, entered the Penha neighborhood and the Alemao and Mare favela complexes -- poor, densely populated swaths of city in large part run by heavily armed drug traffickers.

Only 70 police officers were said to be involved, suggesting a turnaround from previous operations into the dangerous favelas where police have taken the lead and soldiers provided backup.