Pakistani police say a US diplomat has been charged with two counts of murder after shooting and killing two men in the city of Lahore.

Police say the staff member from the US consulate was arrested after shooting the men dead when they tried to stop his car.

They say the American told them he opened fire in self-defence during an attempted car-jacking.

A third person was killed shortly after the shooting, when another car from the US consulate rushed to the scene and hit a pedestrian.

Hundreds of people gathered at the site to protest against the killing by blocking roads and burning tyres.

The US embassy in Islamabad says its officials are cooperating with police and are still investigating the incident.