Fugitive wanted over murder of PC Sharon Beshenivsky facing extradition

Fugitive wanted over murder of PC Sharon Beshenivsky who was shot dead during armed robbery will appear in court in Pakistan next week for extradition hearing

  • PC Sharon Beshenivsky, 38, was shot dead in West Yorkshire in November 2005
  • Six men have been jailed in connection with the police officer’s murder 
  • Piran Ditta Khan , 71, fled to Pakistan where he was arrested  back in January 
  • He will appear in court in Pakistan next week ahead of an extradition hearing  

A fugitive wanted over the infamous murder of a female police officer during a bungled armed robbery will appear in Pakistan court next week for an extradition hearing.

PC Sharon Beshenivsky, 38, was gunned down and killed during a raid at a travel agent in Bradford, West Yorkshire, on November 18, 2005.

Six men were jailed in connection with her murder but alleged ringleader Piran Ditta Khan fled and went on-the-run in Pakistan before being arrested in January. 

Pirin Ditta Khan, pictured, was arrested in Pakistan in January on suspicion of the murder of PC Sharon Beshenivsky, 38, on November 18, 2005

Khan, now 71 and in custody since his arrest, is expected to fight his extradition during a court appearance in the Pakistan capital Islamabad on Monday (Nov 9).

PC Beshenivsky had only been a police officer for nine months when she was blasted in the chest on what was her youngest daughter Lydia’s fourth birthday.

The bullet tore through her stab-proof vest, hit a rib, punctured her aorta artery and damaged her spine – causing her chest to fill with blood.

She was only the second policewoman to be killed on duty in the UK.

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

Despite six convictions, ringleader Khan, an ex-bouncer, fled to Pakistan.

A £20,000 reward for information leading to his capture was issued by West Yorkshire Police, who confirmed earlier this year that Khan had been arrested.

Detective Superintendent Mark Swift today said: ‘Khan is due in court fighting his extradition.

PC Sharon Beshenivsky, 38, was gunned down and killed during a raid at a travel agent in Bradford, West Yorkshire, on November 18, 2005

PC Sharon Beshenivsky, 38, was gunned down and killed during a raid at a travel agent in Bradford, West Yorkshire, on November 18, 2005

‘We are working with our colleagues from the National Crime Agency and the Pakistani Authorities to ensure his extradition is as quick as possible.’

PC Beshenivsky’s husband Paul, who has since remarried, welcomed to the arrest when interviewed about it in January.

Speaking at the time, he said: ‘At last they’ve got him. It’s 2005 to now to get him. From my view, it will give me a bit of closure.

‘When something is still happening in your mind and periodically you get told from police that they’re still looking for him, which is great, but you’ve not forgotten about it.’

Mr Beshenivsky added that a potential upcoming court case will cause him and his family to re-live the pain all over again.

He said: ‘There will be a court case and it will all be coming to light again. That brings it all back to light, especially with the kids.

‘My daughter just rang me about it and she told me about it. Obviously it’s not very nice, you try to get on with your life.

‘It doesn’t give you total closure, like now it just goes through your mind and the kids are going to be suffering.

‘I’m having to deal with it. I’ve remarried, but you’re never going to forget.

‘It’s a bit like Groundhog Day.’

Six men were jailed in connection with her murder but alleged ringleader Piran Ditta Khan fled and went on-the-run in Pakistan before being arrested in January

Six men were jailed in connection with her murder but alleged ringleader Piran Ditta Khan fled and went on-the-run in Pakistan before being arrested in January