INDIAN PRIME MINISTER Manmohan Singh has voiced his shock today at the killing of worshippers at a Sikh temple in the US, while Sikh leaders suggested American Muslims may have been the intended target.

“I am deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the shooting incident that has resulted in the loss of precious lives,” Singh, himself a Sikh, said in a statement.

“That this senseless act of violence should be targeted at a place of religious worship is particularly painful.”

In Sunday’s attack, a gunman shot worshippers at a suburban Sikh temple in Wisconsin, in the mid-western United States, killing at least six people before he was shot dead by police.

“I hope the American authorities would investigate who is behind this dastardly attack on innocent devotees and that they will ensure that such ghastly events do not take place,” Singh told reporters later.

US president Barack OBama said he was “deeply saddened” by the shooting and said his administration will provide whatever support is necessary to officials investigating the shooting.

“As we mourn this loss which took place at a house of worship, we are reminded how much our country has been enriched by Sikhs, who are a part of our broader American family,” Obama said.

According to religious tradition, Sikh Indians wear turbans to cover their uncut hair and sport long beards.

In the United States they have often been mistaken for Muslims and have been targeted by anti-Islam activists, particularly after the September 11, 2001 attacks.

“I think it is a case of mistaken identity. Sikhs are often mistaken to be from the Middle East,” said Manpreet Singh Badal, founder-president of People’s Party of Punjab.

“America is a place where you have the occasional loony, the misguided lot, firing randomly at vulnerable people,” he told AFP.

“This is an opportunity, although a very sad one, to raise awareness among Americans about the Sikh culture and identity.”