A Christian politician was hacked to death by a mob armed with knives and sickles as he exited a church in southern India where he was praying.

(Reuters/Adnan Abidi) Christians attend a protest against the killings of Christians in Orissa, in New Delhi, August 29, 2008.

"G" Dhanasekharan, 34, was praying at the Devasabha Church in Chennai, Tamil Nadu when he received a phone call which prompted him to leave the service. He fled to another church when he saw a group of knife-wielding men circling him, but the assailants were able to catch up with him and kill him before leaving the area using three motorcycles, Times of India details.

The call that Dhanasekharan received was reportedly an invitation to attend a prayer gathering in another church. Eyewitnesses also said he attempted to escape from his attackers but he was shot dead before he could do so, Agenzia Fides relays.

Dhanasekharan, who leaves behind a wife and two sons, may have been killed because of politics. He represented the local youth as a councilor for the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam political party. However, local Christians think the man was targeted because of his faith. An investigating officer said they are also exploring the angle of business rivalry in the crime.

Like the local believers, Global Council of Indian Christians president Sajan George also believes that the Pentecostal Christian was targeted for his faith.

"This killing is yet another proof that Christian minorities are particularly vulnerable. The trail of aggression carried out by Hindu militants to the detriment of the Pentecostal faithful is known," George told Fides in a statement. "Police are investigating but we believe Dhanasekharan was also killed because of his faith."

India is number 17 on Open Door USA's World Watch List of nations where Christians experience the worst forms of persecution. The report also notes that although radical Hinduism has existed under the previous administration, it has steadily risen under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.