Two men have also been arrested on suspicion of murder following the killings, West Yorkshire Police said.

Officers responded to a report a man had been stabbed in Hill Top Avenue, Harehills, at around 11.06am and found him in Back Hill Top Avenue, where he was pronounced dead.

The second man was found at a nearby home with serious injuries and was taken to hospital before he died a short time later.

A third man, 46, was found to have a hand injury and was arrested on suspicion of murder before being taken to hospital for treatment. A 48-year-old man was also held on suspicion of murder.

Detective chief superintendent Sarah Jones, the senior investigating officer, said: "Clearly, it is an absolute tragedy for two men to have lost their lives like this in such a sudden and violent way, and we will be doing everything we can to establish the full circumstances and see that those responsible are brought to justice.

"We have now been able to identify both of these men.

"One is a 53-year-old who lived locally, and we have specialist trained officers supporting his family.

"The other is a 65-year-old man and inquiries are ongoing to trace his family.

"Our investigation is still in its very early stages, and we are keen to hear from anyone who witnessed any part of this incident or who has any information that could assist our inquiries."