Rome: Italian authorities are investigating what they described as a "coldly planned execution" after two Indian nationals were shot to death Friday night outside a warehouse serving as a Sikh place of worship in Bergamo province.

The victims, identified by local media as Raginder Singh, 48, of Covo, and Gurmit Singh, 48, of Agnadello, were fired upon just before midnight as they exited a Vaisakhi festival gathering. The shooting occurred in the square fronting the Gurdwara Mata Sahib Kaur Ji, located in the town's industrial sector.

According to reports from La Sicilia, a lone assailant approached the men, opened fire, and subsequently escaped in a vehicle. Investigators have recovered approximately 10 shell casings from the crime scene and have ruled out the possibility that the violence stemmed from a spontaneous or escalated brawl.

A witness to the attack told reporters that the gunman was "an Indian" who was known to frequent the same gurdwara. The witness further noted that the gunfire also grazed a third individual during the assault.

The double homicide occurred on the eve of an official Vaisakhi celebration scheduled for Saturday, which was set to include representatives from local government institutions. Police continue to search for the suspect as they work to determine a motive for the targeted shooting.

With inputs from PTI