Gunmen shot and killed four people, including at least three Hindu doctors, in a remote region of southern Pakistan Monday in what officials fear could be an incident of sectarian violence.

Authorities said Tuesday that the attack occurred at a clinic in Chak town some 400 kilometers north of Karachi, the capital of Sindh province.

Officials say the local Hindu community has been in conflict with the Muslim majority over an alleged case of sexual assault. The local Muslims also allege that several Hindu youths brought a Muslim dancing girl to the area. Police raided the gathering a few weeks ago and arrested the young men in the presence of the girl.

The two communities had been in talks seeking a compromise on the issue before the shooting.

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari said Monday that he had taken “serious note” of the attack and urged the local authorities to protect minorities.

Pakistan has a long history of sectarian violence between the majority Muslims and minority communities, such as Christians and Hindus, as well as among the different sects of Muslims. Some minorities complain that authorities tend to side with the majority in the Muslim nation.