PC Sharon Beshenivsky murder: Man arrested in Pakistan

PC Sharon Beshenivsky had been a police officer for just nine months when she was killed

A man wanted in connection with the murder of a PC shot dead during a robbery has been arrested in Pakistan.

West Yorkshire officer Sharon Beshenivsky was killed outside a travel agency in Bradford in 2005 while responding to an armed robbery call.

Police said Piran Dhitta Khan, 71, had been wanted by officers investigating the fatal raid.

Mr Khan appeared in court in Islamabad where extradition was discussed. He was remanded in custody until 29 January.

PC Beshenivsky, 38, had only been an officer for nine months when she was shot in the chest on what was her youngest daughter Lydia's fourth birthday.

She was a mother of three and stepmother of two children. Three men were jailed for life for her murder, two for manslaughter.

Her shift partner, PC Teresa Milburn, was also shot but survived.

PC Beshenivsky's husband Paul said he was "glad" at the news of the arrest.

"It's been a long time coming. It's just a matter of getting closure within what happened in 2005," he said.

PC Teresa Milburn was also injured in the robbery

West Yorkshire Police had previously said Mr Khan was believed to be on the run in Pakistan and was being sought.

A £20,000 reward had been offered for information leading to his capture.

Det Supt Mark Swift, said: "I would like to thank the National Crime Agency in Pakistan and partners who have made this arrest possible.

"This is a major development in this long-running investigation and their assistance in this matter cannot be understated.

"We are continuing to liaise with partners in Pakistan to process Mr Khan's extradition with the intention of returning him to the UK to face court proceedings."

Mrs Beshenivsky died attending reports of a robbery at the travel agent in Bradford

Brian Booth, chairman of West Yorkshire Police Federation, said: "I know my colleagues within West Yorkshire are delighted to hear about the arrest of Piran Dhitta Khan and will now be watching closely the wheels of justice turning in this case and how this plays out.

"The murder of Sharon and the attempted murder of her colleague PC Teresa Milburn sent a shockwave not only through West Yorkshire but throughout the world.

"We still mourn the loss of Sharon and I wish to pass on my thanks, on behalf of my West Yorkshire colleagues, to the National Crime Agency in Pakistan for making this arrest possible."