Sect leader Sant Rama Nand, 57, the second-in-command of the Dera Sach Khand sect, whose members are followers of the 14th-century preacher, Guru Ravidass and are mainly low-caste Sikhs, was killed in the violent shootout by some Sikh men.

The attack had left at least 16 other people injured. A few Sikh youths were arrested by the Austrian police following the attack.

Sect head, Sant Niranjan Dass, 68, was also injured in the attack.

The sect is headquartered at Ballan, 15 km from Jalandhar city.

Certain sections of the Sikh community were upset that the sect leaders were sitting at a level higher than the Sikh holy book, Guru Granth Sahib, at gurdwaras of the sect. This led to the attack in Vienna.

Widespread violence erupted in Punjab following a bloody clash in the Vienna gurdwara.