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A man wanted in connection with the murder of Blackwood Market trader Jaswant Singh Sandhu has been arrested in Pakistan.

Father-of-two Mr Sandhu, 31, was shot in the chest with a pistol on Friday, May 26, 1995, following a row with a fellow market trader over the price of t-shirts.

Reports from witnesses at the time suggested the killer calmly got into a taxi after the shooting at a clothes stall.

Mohammad Basharat, who was also known as Bobby, worked at the market three times a week, although he lived in Oldham, and was suspected of killing Mr Sandhu.

Basharat, 49, has now been arrested by the Federal Investigation Agency in Pakistan.

In a statement, the UK’s National Crime Agency said: “Mohammed Basharat was suspected of being involved in the murder of a man in Blackwood in 1995. Authorities were unable to locate him until recently, when he was found to be living in Pakistan under a false identity.

“Extradition proceedings are now underway.

“The NCA operates a network of international liaison officers across the world and is on hand to support partner agencies both here in the UK and overseas. This arrest would not have been possible without the co-operation and support of the Pakistan Federal Investigation Agency.”

A Gwent Police statement said: “A 49-year-old man was arrested in Pakistan on suspicion of murder in connection with an investigation into the death of a man in Blackwood in 1995.

“Inquiries are ongoing and work continues, alongside the National Crime Agency and authorities in Pakistan, to secure his extradition to the UK where he may face further court proceedings.”