The Sheffield women aged 28 and 23 are in police custody.

A post mortem examination confirmed 31-year-old Nawajid Ali Khan had died from multiple injuries.

He was ambushed as he arrived for work at Milan's takeaway on Chesterfield Road in Sheffield on Sunday afternoon.

Det Supt Carl Sturgess said: "The women have been arrested on suspicion of murder. It appears the victim was attacked by a number of males outside the Milan takeaway.

"The fight spilled into the road where Mr Khan was hit by a Vauxhall Frontera which was then abandoned at the scene."

Visit thestar.co.uk later today to see footage of a police press conference from the murder scene.

Police are appealing for witnesses who may have been stood outside the Red Lion pub at around 4.30pm on Sunday.

Meanwhile friends have described father-of-two Nawajid as a "gentle man" whose murder had left them shocked and angry.

Mazhar Iqbal, owner of the Mangla restaurant on Spital Hill, said Nawajid had been a second-chef in the kitchens for six years before moving to Milan's.

"Everybody knew him here at the Mangla," he said. "He was a good man, a family friend, a really nice man and a gentle person - very popular.

"We all feel gutted, very shocked and very angry at what has happened. He had two children, two little girls - the elder one is about five and the little one just two-and-a-half years old. It's terrible."

Friends said Nawajid lived with his uncle in Darnall but was originally from Pakistan. He and his wife - the mother of his two young daughters -had split up.

As detectives leading the murder investigation paced deserted Chesterfield Road searching for clues yesterday, local shopkeepers told The Star of their fears.

Hairdresser Katherine Rooke, aged 43, said: "My son was drinking in The Crown pub and had been to the shop for some cigarettes when he saw it all."

"He noticed a bit of a scuffle and there seemed to be some fighting in the middle of it all. He said a few blokes surrounded the chef from Milan's.

"It's frightening to think something like this has happened. It's a popular area where people live and there are schools. It's a relatively nice area. There's never really that much trouble."

Cafe owner Shohreh Rezvanian said: "I am shocked by what has happened. It's a worry that this has happened right on my doorstep. It is very sad, it's made me upset."

A local newsagent said: "I'm a bit worried. It's on my doorstep. I come out to work each day and it's a nice neighbourhood. You feel safe. What's happening to Sheffield?"

Yesterday Chesterfield Road was sealed off until 12.30pm causing traffic chaos as detectives and forensic officers examined the scene.

A bus stop outside The Bridge Inn at Heeley Bridge was also being examined for evidence.

Anyone with information about the murder can call the incident room on 0114 296 3496.

Main news index