Accused Babita Dhakar NEW DELHI: A 38-year-old woman arrested in Jaipur last week was planning to travel to Pakistan to marry a close associate of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar, officials said on Thursday.The woman, identified as Babita Dhakar alias “Khadija”, allegedly intended to enter Pakistan via Nepal. She had been under surveillance by military intelligence agencies for several weeks before being arrested by the Rajasthan Police’s Anti-Terror Squad.Babita, who remains in police custody till June 27, has been booked under various provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).According to officials, a forensic examination of Babita’s electronic devices revealed multiple Pakistani phone numbers, including those suspected to belong to Yusuf Azhar, a close relative of Masood Azhar, and Qari Zarar, who is wanted in India in connection with several cases.Investigators also found that Babita, a resident of Jaipur’s Sitapura area, was allegedly in contact with members and supporters of the JeM, a Pakistan-based banned terrorist organisation.Babita’s contact with Pakistan-based individuals eventually led her to develop a close relationship with a man identified as Abu Ubaidah.”She claimed that she developed emotional ties with Abu Ubaidah and became interested in the Jaish due to her admiration for the mujahideen. She frequently viewed and liked social media posts and reels featuring weapons uploaded by members or supporters of the organisation,” an official associated with the investigation told PTI.As per the FIR, Babita told investigators that Abu Ubaidah wanted to marry her and encouraged her to learn and practise Islamic teachings, including offering prayers and reading the Quran.”She was invited to Pakistan to work for Jaish. As part of the process, she was asked to obtain a passport,” the official added.Investigators further alleged that Babita discussed possible travel routes to Pakistan with Abu Ubaidah and a cleric, including transit through Nepal, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. They also discussed financing her journey through cryptocurrency, prompting her to download cryptocurrency-related applications and research the subject online.The FIR further stated that Babita admitted to sharing one-time passwords (OTPs) received on her Indian mobile numbers with her Pakistani handler, enabling him to operate WhatsApp accounts linked to those numbers.Later, Babita discovered that Abu Ubaidah was married, leaving her disappointed.She had also searched online for ways to make explosives and had been informed by her Pakistani handler about networks operating in India. Officials, however, noted that a detailed technical analysis of her mobile phone would be required to verify these claims.Babita is the third among five siblings. Officials said she was married in 2018 but separated from her husband shortly afterwards.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosRahul Gandhi Seeks Relief In Defamation Case, Says Statement Was Not About Kartikey SinghMumbai Local Train Murder: GRP Arrests Accused After Passenger Stabbed To Death During Door DisputeNEET Centre Claims Candidate Arrived 14 Minutes Late, Submits CCTV Footage to Back DecisionEmergency Added to NCERT Class 9 Curriculum, Described as a Major Democratic ChallengeKerala Government Faces Massive Backlash Over Proposed Tax Cut On Low-Alcohol Beverages30 India-Bound Vessels Cross Strait Of Hormuz As 26 More Await Safe PassageAir India Flight AI479 Briefly Crosses Into Pakistan Airspace, DGCA Orders InvestigationTMC MP Mahua Moitra Clarifies After Praise For Suvendu Adhikari Sparks Political Buzz In BengalBengaluru Metro Breakdown Triggers Commuter Chaos As Stranded Passengers Climb Lorries”They Saved Their Goods And Left Us To Die”: Survivor’s Explosive Claims Rock Aliganj Fire Probe123PhotostoriesInside Samay Raina’s luxurious Mumbai house: A massive living area, a streaming room and morePM Narendra Modi loves this iron-rich South Indian dish; here’s how you can make it at homeThe surprising history of alta: Why Indian women paint their feet blood-redReal Madrid star Vinícius Júnior’s ₹64 crore-worth mansion is packed with a private cinema, two swimming pools and a football trophy cabinetFrom ‘Wonder Woman’ to ‘The Marvels’: 7 female superhero movies to watch before ‘Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow’From pride hues to polka power: Priyanka Chopra didn’t follow trends at Cannes Lions 2026, she wore all of themFrom safety to rights: 7 things every Indian woman living in a rented place needs to knowVisiting Nepal? Don’t forget to try these local traditional dishesCan’t afford the Maldives, Switzerland or Bali? Try these 6 budget-friendly alternatives5 lessons to learn from Zendaya and Tom Holland’s relationship: From friendship to forever123Hot PicksVenezuela earthquakesKetan Agrawal MurderH1-B rowAashna DoshiSujata Rout KarthikeyanBihar school timingsTS SSC Supplementary ResultRVUNL RecruitmentAndy RoddickTop TrendingSundar PichaiVenezuela NewsRithuparna KSFIFA World Cup 2026Venezuela earthquake NewsMumba Local Train MurderMEA PassportNandani BosmiyaMK StalinMumbai Local Train News
NEW DELHI: A 38-year-old woman arrested in Jaipur last week was planning to travel to Pakistan to marry a close associate of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar, officials said on Thursday.The woman, identified as Babita Dhakar alias “Khadija”, allegedly intended to enter Pakistan via Nepal. She had been under surveillance by military intelligence agencies for several weeks before being arrested by the Rajasthan Police’s Anti-Terror Squad.Babita, who remains in police custody till June 27, has been booked under various provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).According to officials, a forensic examination of Babita’s electronic devices revealed multiple Pakistani phone numbers, including those suspected to belong to Yusuf Azhar, a close relative of Masood Azhar, and Qari Zarar, who is wanted in India in connection with several cases.Investigators also found that Babita, a resident of Jaipur’s Sitapura area, was allegedly in contact with members and supporters of the JeM, a Pakistan-based banned terrorist organisation.Babita’s contact with Pakistan-based individuals eventually led her to develop a close relationship with a man identified as Abu Ubaidah.“She claimed that she developed emotional ties with Abu Ubaidah and became interested in the Jaish due to her admiration for the mujahideen. She frequently viewed and liked social media posts and reels featuring weapons uploaded by members or supporters of the organisation,” an official associated with the investigation told PTI.As per the FIR, Babita told investigators that Abu Ubaidah wanted to marry her and encouraged her to learn and practise Islamic teachings, including offering prayers and reading the Quran.“She was invited to Pakistan to work for Jaish. As part of the process, she was asked to obtain a passport,” the official added.Investigators further alleged that Babita discussed possible travel routes to Pakistan with Abu Ubaidah and a cleric, including transit through Nepal, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. They also discussed financing her journey through cryptocurrency, prompting her to download cryptocurrency-related applications and research the subject online.The FIR further stated that Babita admitted to sharing one-time passwords (OTPs) received on her Indian mobile numbers with her Pakistani handler, enabling him to operate WhatsApp accounts linked to those numbers.Later, Babita discovered that Abu Ubaidah was married, leaving her disappointed.She had also searched online for ways to make explosives and had been informed by her Pakistani handler about networks operating in India. Officials, however, noted that a detailed technical analysis of her mobile phone would be required to verify these claims.Babita is the third among five siblings. Officials said she was married in 2018 but separated from her husband shortly afterwards.
