Austria regrets incident, says will punish culprits

VIENNA: Regretting the violent clash at a Gurudwara here, Austria today said it is making all efforts to bring to justice those responsible for the "planned" attack that left a Sikh religious guru dead and several injured.

"The investigation is going on," Austrian Foreign Ministry spokesman Peter Launsky told PTI when asked about yesterday's incident.

"Every effort is being made to bring to justice those responsible for the incident," he said but refused to share details.

The head of a leading Indian Sikh sect, Sant Rama Nand, was killed and 16 injured in the incident.

"The attack had clearly been planned," police spokesman Michael Takacs told newspersons.

Sources said six people allegedly involved in the bloody clash have been arrested and would be prosecuted.

Launsky said it was "particularly sad" and "very unfortunate" that the incident took place in Vienna "which is known as the place of dialogue and peace."

He expressed grief, on behalf of the Austrian government, to the family of the person killed in the clash.

Indian Embassy sources said the Mission is in constant touch with the authorities in the Austrian Home Affairs, Foreign Affairs as well as local police on the issue.