JeM sleeper cell operative Babita sent to judicial custody after 7-day ATS remand ends

Jaipur, June 27 (IANS) Alleged Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) sleeper cell operative Babita Dhakad alias Khadija was produced before a Jaipur court on Saturday after the completion of her seven-day Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) remand and was sent to judicial custody.

Investigators claim the accused had searched the internet for information related to suicide attacks and was allegedly being groomed by Pakistan-based handlers for terror activities.

Babita was arrested by the Rajasthan ATS from Jaipur’s Vatika area earlier this month.

After completing her custodial interrogation, she was produced before the Court of the Additional Civil Judge and Judicial Magistrate, which remanded her to judicial custody.

She is scheduled to be produced again on June 29.

According to ATS sources, interrogation revealed that Babita had allegedly been in contact with JeM operatives for nearly two years and was suspected to be under preparation for a possible suicide attack.

Investigators claim Pakistan-based handlers were imparting online training and that forensic examination of her digital devices showed searches related to suicide attacks.

Investigators also suspect Babita was planning to leave India through the illegal “donkey route” to reach Pakistan without valid travel documents.

The ATS officials said she did not possess an Indian passport.

The probe also alleges that Pakistan-based handlers trained her online to use social media for establishing contact with Indian Army personnel as part of an alleged honey-trap strategy.

According to the prosecution, a case has been registered against Babita under Sections 38 and 39 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Officials said the investigation remains sensitive due to national security concerns, and her social media accounts, digital devices, and call records are being examined.

According to ATS officials, Dhakad allegedly used the name “Khadija” online after interacting with individuals connected to the network.

During a forensic examination of her mobile phone, investigators reportedly found a Facebook account under the pseudonym “Duniya Dhokhebaaz”, which contained more than 300 foreign contacts, including several individuals based in Pakistan.

The Rajasthan ATS, alongside central intelligence agencies, is currently tracking the network’s digital footprint to identify other potential sleeper cells or local contacts. Security officials said that the investigation is ongoing and further details regarding the financial and logistical aspects of the network are expected as the data analysis progresses.

–IANS

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