Ottawa, July 15 (IANS): An Indo-Canadian sikh provincial minister's brother-in-law was found murdered in his own residence in Canada's Kelowna city in what the police said was a "targeted homicide", media reports said on Wednesday.

Amardeep Singh Ahluwalia, 47 and also an Indo-Canadian sikh, was reportedly murdered in a violent attack inside his home in the Black Mountain city of Kelowna, in British Columbia, last week, police said.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) constable Steve Holmes said the police "responded" to a home on Feedham Avenue on July 8 midnight where they found Ahluwalia dead.

Ahluwalia was later identified as the brother-in-law of British Columbia cabinet minister Amrik Virk, media reports said on Wednesday.

"My wife lost her brother. We are grateful for the support and kindness of those who shared their condolences, and I thank you in advance for respecting our privacy in this time of grief," Virk was quoted as saying by The Province newspaper.

Ahluwalia was murdered during what neighbours told reporters was a violent home invasion. His girlfriend was reportedly able to escape to a neighbour's, where she showed up terrified and tied in zap straps.

Interestingly, Virk, while condemning recent shootings in Surrey and Delta areas in April, said the gang lifestyle had to be "demystified" for young people.