Jaish sleeper-cell probe: Babita Dhakad’s Facebook profile under ATS scanner

Jaipur, June 23 (IANS) The investigation into alleged Jaish-e-Mohammed sleeper-cell operative Babita Dhakad alias Khadija has widened after the Rajasthan ATS recovered two SIM cards and uncovered a Facebook account named Duniya Dhokhebaaz (The World is Deceitful) from her mobile phone.

Investigators said the account featured weapon-related images and had nearly 370 friends, many of them based in Pakistan and other foreign countries, prompting a deeper probe into her online network and possible cross-border connections.

Meanwhile, Babita’s father publicly disowned her, saying anyone working against the country deserves no place in society.

“For me, the nation comes first. I never imagined my daughter could be involved in anti-national activities. I don’t need such a daughter. Those who work against the country do not deserve a place even in hell,” he told the media, though he declined to appear on camera.

Babita, 37, was arrested by the Rajasthan ATS on Monday following intelligence inputs shared by Military Intelligence. Investigators allege she was in contact with Pakistan-based handlers and individuals linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed.

Her father said the family had no indication of suspicious activity despite Babita living with them in Jaipur for several years after separating from her husband.

Originally from Gangapur City, the family shifted to Jaipur’s Vatika area after his retirement from the Khadi Department. Babita had been residing with her parents while divorce proceedings with her husband in Hindaun City were underway.

“All of us lived under the same roof. We never suspected that she could be involved in anything like this,” he said.

According to ATS investigators, Babita revealed during interrogation that she was allegedly radicalised through anti-India content shared by Pakistani handlers. Officials claim she was taught the Kalma online by a cleric and subsequently adopted the name Khadija.

Investigators also recovered contacts allegedly linked to Jaish commander Qari Zarar, whose name surfaced in connection with the 2016 Nagrota Army camp attack.

Links to associates of Yusuf Azhar alias Gori, a relative of Jaish founder Masood Azhar and an accused in the 1999 IC-814 hijacking case, have also reportedly emerged during the probe.

The ATS recovered two SIM cards from Babita’s phone and is examining her digital footprint. Officials found the Facebook account Duniya Dhokhebaaz, which reportedly featured images of weapons and had around 370 friends, many based in Pakistan and other foreign countries.

Investigators claim one of the connected profiles displayed the flag of the banned Jaish-e-Mohammed. Evidence of chats and calls with Pakistani and Afghan numbers through WhatsApp and other encrypted platforms has also been recovered.

The ATS continues to investigate the extent of Babita’s alleged involvement, her foreign contacts, and whether she played any operational role beyond online communication.

–IANS

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