(updates with more casualties, schools and shops closing) RIO DE JANEIRO, Oct 17 (Reuters) - At least 12 people, including a four-year-old girl, were killed on Wednesday in clashes between security forces and drug traffickers in a Rio de Janeiro slum, authorities said. The gunfights in the Korea and Taquaral slums, or favelas, were the deadliest in the crime-ridden city in four months. Helicopters and armored cars provided support to 500 police taking part in the operation in the area. Shops and some schools closed. Police said they were greeted by a hail of bullets when they entered the area looking for weapons and drugs. The dead included 10 suspected drug traffickers. The girl was hit by a stray bullet. A police chief supervising the raid was wounded and had to be evacuated by helicopter. Rio police are notorious for rough tactics against drug gangs that control many of the city's shantytowns, and innocent bystanders often get killed by stray bullets. The incident reflects the reality behind a new movie, "Tropa de Elite", which is topping the box office in Brazil and has caused controversy because of its portrayal of police torture and killings in the fight against traffickers. "The Security Secretariat has free rein to act against drug traffickers," Rio state Gov. Sergio Cabral told reporters as the raid was in progress. In June, just before the start of the Pan American Games in Rio, police killed 19 people in the Alemao favela in an incident that rights groups condemned as a massacre. A period of relative calm had followed during the games, which were safeguarded by thousands of additional police, but there have been a few bloody clashes since. Three police officers have been killed this week alone. Rio authorities hope that the city will be picked to host the Olympic Games and soccer World Cup and have been trying to project an image of safety after the success of the security plan for the Pan American Games.
