# Operation Bharatayudha

Operation Bharatayudha (Indonesian: Operasi Bharatayudha) was a major operation against Free Papua Movement (OPM) to suppress their movement in eastern regions and crush guerilla attacks. This operation was aimed at winning Act of Free Choice by defeating the OPM guerillas. The operation resulted in Indonesian tactical success; they executed many OPM soldiers and captured most of their weapons. The attack frightened many Papuans because they did not expect a major offensive and the OPM casualties and because many of their villages and forests were burned down.

## Background

In 1965, the Indonesian forces launched Operation Sadar. This operation aimed to encounter the OPM attacks and keep Manokwari and Sorong safe from OPM attacking numerous villages that were suspected of supporting the OPM and also gathering information about OPM attacks and forcing them to retreat. The operation was a success – it expelled guerillas in Manokwari and Sorong (only a few OPM companies remained) and captured much information about planned OPM attacks on Indonesian outposts.
This operation ended in success by spreading the power of Indonesian forces and capturing much OPM territory. However, to win Act of Free Choice (PEPERA) and attack the OPM military, the Indonesian government launched Operation Bharatyudha. This operation, led by General R. Bintoro, aimed to suppress guerrilla attacks by Lodewijk and divide the rebels.

## Operations

On 29 March, Indonesian forces led by General Bintoro arrived at Manokwari, Jayapura, and Merauke. These forces were aided and supported by South Sulawesi's 700th Airborne Battalion, 935th Mobile Brigade Corps Battalion, several platoons from the Indonesian Marine Corps, Paskhas, Rapid Force Command, and Special Forces Command aimed at crushing the guerilla's movement by Lodewijk by attacking their forces and dividing these forces. This operation was to have three phases with the help of intelligence operations and territorial operations.
The Indonesian forces attacked the Lodewijk forces in Merauke and Jayapura (the important cities in Papua). Also, Lodewijk forces known as the largest OPM battalions, the Indonesian forces attacked in two places – they blockaded and brutally attacked these forces on many sides and inflicted heavy losses. Also, the Indonesian forces captured many soldiers, executed them, and took their weapons. Many of the OPM soldiers decided to surrender after they were unable to defend themselves.
After the major offensive in Jayapura and Merauke, the Indonesian forces attacked many OPM companies in Manokwari. The Indonesian forces attacked the OPM, lowering OPM morale. In Manokwari, the Indonesian forces expelled the OPM. This attack made Manokwari much safer and many of the OPM forces surrendered afterward.
However, this operation continued so as to keep and guard the Act of Free Choice (PEPERA). Also, Indonesian forces infiltrated the OPM elsewhere and gathered information about OPM plans and their attacks.

## Aftermath

This operation left the OPM in two scales, and many of their forces surrendered. Also, the Indonesian aerial attacks burned Papuan villages them to the ground. Civilians were left demoralised.
After the operations,Operation Wibawa aimed to win Act of Free Choice (PEPERA), crushing the guerilla movement and spreading the government influence into Papua by increasing the government authority in Papua by not doing military actions and only neutralized Mandatjan Lodewijk (OPM military commanders). This operation was led by General Sarwo Edhie Wibowo.