AGENCY
Karachi: Amjad Sabri, one of Pakistan’s finest Sufi Qawwals best known for his soul-stirring renditions of mystic poetry, was on Wednesday killed by unidentified gunmen who shot him in the head in a targeted terror attack here.
Sabri, 45, and an associate were travelling in a car in Karachi’s congested Liquatabad 10 area when two unidentified motorcycle- borne gunmen fired at their vehicle, critically injuring them.
“Two attackers riding a motorcycle intercepted his car and targeted Amjad Sabri, who was driving,” said Sindh police chief Allah Dino Khawaja.
The two were rushed to Abbasi Shaheed hospital, where Sabri succumbed to his injuries. His associate also died.
“Sabri was shot in the chest and head and he was shifted to Abbasi Shaheed hospital immediately, where he succumbed to his injuries.
His associate was also killed in the targeted attack,” a police official said.
Additional police surgeon Dr Rohina Hasan confirmed Sabri’s death. He was shot thrice twice in the head and once on the ear.
“Two riders used 30-bore pistols to shoot Sabri five times, the bullet to the head took the qawwal’s life,” a senior police official said.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility but a senior police official said, “It was a targeted killing and an act of terrorism.”
Sabri was apparently heading for the studio of a private television channel when he was attacked.
Police officials recovered five 30-bore casings from the scene of the attack, which have been sent for forensics.
Both front side windows were shattered and three bullet holes could be seen on the front screen.
“We have not ruled out the possibility of this attack being an act of terrorism as it is clear Amjad Sabri has been targeted by the killers who were following his car from a distance,” SSP Muqadas Haider said.
A senior official of the Sindh home department said they were looking into reports that Sabri had recently submitted an application to the government for provision of security.
Amjad Sabri was the son of renowned Qawwal Ghulam Farid Sabri whose family is famous in the subcontinent for their contribution to this Sufi art and mystic poetry.
Sabri was one of Pakistan’s finest qawwals, known for his soul-stirring renditions of mystic poetry.
Some of the most memorable and famous qawwalis of the Sabris were ‘Bhar Do Jholi Meri’, ‘Tajdar-i-Haram’ and ‘Mera Koi Nahin Hai Teray Siwa’.
Sabri, who travelled widely to Europe and USA for his concerts, was known as the “rockstar” of Qawali due to his modern style of rendition.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has condemned the attack and has directed authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice.PTI