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A childkiller who tortured his lover’s two-year-old daughter to death in a case that horrified Britain was murdered in his high security prison cell, it emerged today.

Subhan Anwar, 24, is believed to have been stabbed after being taken hostage by two inmates at Long Lartin jail on Valentine’s Day.

He was serving a minimum of 23 years behind bars for the murder of Sanam Navsarka in 2009.

The toddler suffered 107 separate injuries after being subjected to a month of “unbelievable” cruelty.

Her mum, Zahbeena Navsarka, was cleared of murder but convicted of manslaughter and jailed for nine years.

Anwar was taken hostage in his cell shortly after inmates finished dinner on Thursday evening, say sources.

The former grammar school boy’s body was found by prison officers at 8pm. Detectives were last night quizzing a 47-year-old and a 45-year-old on suspicion of murder. Long Lartin in Worcestershire is one of the country’s most secure jails, housing dozens of murderers and terrorists.

Inmates have included deported hate cleric Abu Hamza, Jeremy Bamber and Daniel Sonnex, who tortured two French students to death.

A Prison Service spokeswoman said: “An incident at HMP Long Lartin on February 14 resulted in the death of prisoner Subhan Anwar.

"Two prisoners are in police custody and the matter is being investigated.”

A spokesman for West Mercia Police said: “We are working closely with the Ministry of Justice to establish the exact circumstances surrounding this death.”

Anwar and Navsarka broke every limb on little Sanam’s body during their sadistic campaign.

Her tiny hand prints and bloodstains were found inside cupboards at the family home in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire.

The pair also put the helpless tot inside a tumble drier and dumped her in a bin. She died after fatty deposits from her fractured thigh bones entered her bloodstream.

Judge Peter Thornton QC summed up the toddler’s ordeal by telling the court: “Humanity has let her down.”

Following Anwar’s conviction, social worker Judyth Kenworthy was suspended for two years after failing to pass on information about Sanam’s abuse before she was murdered.

Long Lartin, near Evesham, holds up to 622 inmates who must be serving a minimum of four years.

It was criticised a year ago in a report by chief inspector of prisons Nick Hardwick for its use of two cages as an exercise yard for segregated inmates.

He said the cages were “not fit for purpose” and “unacceptable”.

He also slammed the prison for failing to stop slopping out – which was meant to have been abolished in 1996.

In August 2011 baby murderer Andrew Randall was attacked in his cell and survived.