POLICE were today given a further 24-hour extension to question four of the five men being held in connection with the murder of Enayit Khalili.

The extension expires tomorrow morning.

A 22-year-old has been released without charge.

A sixth man, aged 24, also arrested in connection with the murder, was released without charge yesterday.

The family of Mr Khalili, who died following a stabbing in Fiennes Road, Rose Hill, Oxford, on Saturday, has paid tribute to him.

Mr Khalili, 26, was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, after an incident at 3.30am on Saturday. He died from his injuries at 11.40pm on Saturday.

In a statement, issued through Thames Valley Police, his family said: "We are devastated by Enayit's death. He was a young man with the rest of his life ahead of him and we are extremely shocked by what has happened.

"He came to Britain in 2002 and while studying English he also worked for Initial Cleaning Services, cleaning at Oxford and Cowley police stations. He was extremely close to his family and was working hard to support them in Afghanistan and his wife, who is living in Pakistan.

"His friends and colleagues will also miss him. He was a cheerful and much-liked person, full of jokes, and he had many friends in both Britain and Afghanistan.

"He loved sport; he played volleyball, went to the gym and practised martial arts.

"Everyone is going to miss him terribly. If anyone has information about his death then please come forward and help the police."

A post-mortem examination was carried out yesterday and the results concluded that the cause of death had been from a stab wound.

Police have been granted an extension from the magistrates court to further question five men in custody. A sixth man, aged 24, has been released without charge.

Det Supt George Turner, leading the investigation, said: "This is now being treated as a murder inquiry. I appeal to anyone who knew Enayit and has any information that could assist our inquiries to contact police immediately."

Police have spent the past two days searching the house and neighbourhood for clues.

Neighbours said they were woken by shouting and loud noises inside the house.

Mohammed Idrees, 27, of Headington, said his father had rented the house to four people from northern Afghanistan for the past six months.

He said the men were all aged between 19 and 30.

Mr Idrees said: "I haven't had any trouble from them at all. They are all working and as far as I know, they celebrated Afghan New Year on Thursday together.

"They are nice guys. I have been in there a few times to sort out the bathroom and kitchen. They came here as refugees from Afghanistan and we helped them get a house."

Hassan Mohammadi, of Cowley Road, Oxford, said his cousin lived in the shared house.

He said: "He's happily married and a nice guy. I am very worried for him."

Scenes of crimes officers were seen going into the houses either side of the property and scouring gardens, the street and searching underneath cars.

Only residents of Fiennes Road were allowed past the police cordon yesterday and on Saturday.

Police spokesman Vicky Evans said the cordon would remain in place sealing off part of Fiennes Road for "some considerable time".

Mother-of-one Sandra Coble who lives next door to the house where the stabbing took place, said: "At about 4am, we were woken up and heard noisy people running up and down the stairs next door.

"There were raised voices but we couldn't make out what they were saying. Then a couple of hours later, the police were at our door asking what we had seen or heard.

"Usually we don't hear anything - they are very quiet."

A mother-of-two from St Martin's Road added: "I woke up in the morning, looked out the window and thought - 'what is going on?' "This is not good for my kids. We normally go out today, but they are petrified. It's very spooky. I don't like letting the kids go out in the street at the moment."

One resident of Fiennes Road said four men lived in the house, but he often saw more people entering and leaving.

He said: "They are all very quiet and a few people often come in and out. They are all very nice guys."

Police are asking anyone with information to call Det Supt George Turner on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.