JeM sleeper cell suspect Babita Dhakad sent to judicial custody in Jaipur
Synopsis
A woman arrested in Jaipur as an alleged Jaish-e-Mohammed sleeper cell operative has been sent to judicial custody after a seven-day ATS remand. Investigators say she had been in contact with Pakistan-based handlers for nearly two years, was being groomed for a suicide attack, and allegedly ran a Facebook account with over 300 foreign contacts — a case that points to the growing threat of digitally-enabled cross-border radicalization.
Key Takeaways
Babita Dhakad alias Khadija , an alleged JeM sleeper cell operative, was sent to judicial custody by a Jaipur court on 27 June .
She was arrested by Rajasthan ATS from Vatika area, Jaipur earlier this month and completed a seven-day ATS remand.
Investigators allege she was in contact with Pakistan-based JeM handlers for nearly two years and was reportedly being groomed for a suicide attack.
Forensic examination of her phone revealed a Facebook account under the pseudonym 'Duniya Dhokhebaaz' with more than 300 foreign contacts , including Pakistan-based individuals.
She is accused under Sections 38 and 39 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and is next due in court on 29 June .
Rajasthan ATS and central intelligence agencies are tracking the network's digital footprint to identify further sleeper cells.
Alleged Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) sleeper cell operative Babita Dhakad, also known online as Khadija, was sent to judicial custody by a Jaipur court on Saturday, 27 June, following the conclusion of her seven-day Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) remand. Rajasthan ATS had arrested her from the Vatika area of Jaipur earlier this month.
Court Proceedings and Custody
After completing her custodial interrogation, Dhakad was produced before the Court of the Additional Civil Judge and Judicial Magistrate, which formally remanded her to judicial custody. She is scheduled to appear before the court again on 29 June. A case has been registered against her under Sections 38 and 39 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
What Investigators Allege
According to ATS sources, interrogation revealed that Dhakad had allegedly been in contact with JeM operatives for nearly two years and was reportedly being groomed for a possible suicide attack. Investigators claim Pakistan-based handlers were providing her online training, and forensic examination of her digital devices reportedly uncovered searches related to suicide attacks.
Notably, a Facebook account under the pseudonym 'Duniya Dhokhebaaz' was found on her mobile phone during the forensic review, containing more than 300 foreign contacts, including several individuals reportedly based in Pakistan. Officials said she allegedly adopted the name 'Khadija' online after interacting with individuals linked to the network.
Honey-Trap Strategy and Illegal Border Crossing
The probe further alleges that Pakistan-based handlers trained Dhakad to use social media to establish contact with Indian Army personnel as part of an alleged honey-trap operation. Investigators also suspect she was planning to exit India via the illegal 'donkey route' — an informal cross-border smuggling path — to reach Pakistan without valid travel documents. Officials confirmed she does not hold an Indian passport.
Ongoing Investigation
The Rajasthan ATS, working alongside central intelligence agencies, is currently tracking the network's digital footprint to identify other potential sleeper cells and local contacts. Security officials described the investigation as sensitive given national security concerns. Her social media accounts, digital devices, and call records are all under examination. Further details on the financial and logistical dimensions of the network are expected as data analysis progresses.
This case comes amid heightened security vigilance across India following a series of counter-terrorism operations in recent months, underscoring the continued threat posed by cross-border radicalization networks operating through digital channels.
Point of View
If proven, would mark a significant escalation in JeM's domestic tradecraft. What the case also reveals is a gap in passport and border-monitoring systems: that a suspect allegedly planning to use the 'donkey route' to Pakistan did not hold a passport, yet remained undetected for nearly two years, raises uncomfortable questions about the reach of existing surveillance frameworks. The UAPA charges are serious, but conviction rates under the Act remain a contested metric — the real test of this investigation will be whether the digital evidence holds up and whether the network beyond Dhakad is dismantled.
NationPress
28 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Babita Dhakad and why was she arrested?
Babita Dhakad, also known online as Khadija, is an alleged Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) sleeper cell operative arrested by the Rajasthan ATS from the Vatika area of Jaipur earlier in June 2025. Investigators allege she had been in contact with Pakistan-based JeM handlers for nearly two years and was being groomed for a suicide attack.
What charges has Babita Dhakad been booked under?
She has been charged under Sections 38 and 39 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), which pertain to membership of and support for a terrorist organisation. The case was registered by the Rajasthan ATS.
What did forensic examination of her devices reveal?
Forensic analysis of Dhakad's mobile phone reportedly uncovered searches related to suicide attacks and a Facebook account under the pseudonym 'Duniya Dhokhebaaz' with more than 300 foreign contacts, including several individuals based in Pakistan, according to ATS sources.
What is the 'donkey route' and why is it relevant to this case?
The 'donkey route' refers to informal, illegal cross-border smuggling pathways used to cross international borders without valid travel documents. Investigators suspect Dhakad was planning to use this route to travel from India to Pakistan, and officials confirmed she does not hold an Indian passport.
What happens next in the case?
Babita Dhakad is scheduled to be produced before the Jaipur court again on 29 June. The Rajasthan ATS and central intelligence agencies are continuing to analyse her digital devices, call records, and social media accounts to identify other members of the alleged network.
