3 killed, over 10 injured in Rio police raid

RIO DE JANEIRO, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- At least three people were killed and more than 10 injured on Monday during a police raid targeting drug gangs in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, state police said.

Police said the three people killed were suspects who died in shootouts with officers. The injured included a police officer and two teenagers, while the remaining injured were suspects.

About 200 officers took part in the operation, which began early Monday in neighborhoods including Morro do Timbau and Baixa do Sapateiro in northern Rio.

Police deployed seven armored vehicles and air support to target drug trafficking groups and curb the flow of weapons in the area. The main target was Terceiro Comando Puro, a gang active in several Rio neighborhoods.

Officers seized 12 rifles, eight handguns, grenades, ammunition, magazines and 83 kg of drugs, police said. They also recovered six vehicles.

The gunfire disrupted public services, forcing 41 schools to suspend classes and four primary care clinics to temporarily close, city officials said.

Officers remained in the area searching for weapons and other evidence of criminal activity.

Clashes between security forces and armed groups that control parts of Rio remain a major public security challenge for the state.