Hate crimes are growing gradually in the United States especially among Indians residing in the nation despite stringent laws.

On Sunday night, a family of four Sikhs was shot dead inside their apartment complex in West Chester, a suburb in Ohio's Cincinnati. The incident has triggered alarm across the Sikh community based in the locality.

The West Chester Township police have launched an investigation into the attack, which is as of now being suspected as an act of "hate crime".

The deceased, said West Chester Police Chief Joel Herzog, are all adults. They have been identified as family patriarch - Hakikat Panag, his wife Paramjit Kaur, his adult daughter Shalinder Kaur, and his sister-in-law Amarjit Kaur.

Locals in neighboring apartments said they heard a barrage of gunfire, which forced them to rush out on the streets. However, the alleged killer had fled from the spot. A search operation has been launched to hunt down the accused.

Jasminder Singh, the priest of the local Sikh temple, expressed dismay and shock over the demise of the family. The deaths, he said, has devastated the entire community and left in a state of shock and fear. "It is a huge loss for us," Jasminder said, adding that the family used to regularly attend the prayers and be involved in community activities.

Police Chief Joel Herzog has, however, ruled out a threat to the entire Sikh community based in West Chester. He has assured of strengthening security in the region and cracking down on the perpetrator of the homicide at the soonest.

-Sangam Sowmya