New Delhi: Famous Paksitani qawwal Amjad Sabri was killed in a gun attack in Karachi today. The attack took place in Liaquatabad area of the city when unknown armed men started firing at his vehicle.
Amjad was accompanied by his driver, who has also been critically injured in the attack, police said.
The two were soon rushed to Abbasi Shaheed hospital where Sabri succumbed to his injuries.
"Three people including Amjad Sabri have been killed in a targeted attack on his car in Liaquatabad 10 area this afternoon," a senior police official said.
"He was shot in the chest and head and he was shifted to Abbasi Shaheed hospital immediately, where he succumbed to his injuries. The driver and associate have been killed in the targeted attack," the 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, police sources said.
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.
Amjad was one of Pakistan's finest qawwals, known for his soul-stirring renditions of mystic poetry. Almost whatever the Sabri brothers sang became an instant hit. But some of their most memorable and famous qawwalis were Bhar Do Jholi Meri, Tajdar-i-Haram and Mera Koi Nahin Hai Teray Siwa.
While the police have started investigating the matter, Additional Inspector General Mushtaq Mehar has reportedly stated that it was a targeted killing.
Ever since the news of Ajmad Sabri’s death broke, Twitterati have taken over the micro-blogging site expressing their grief over his demise.
Born on December 23, 1976 in Karachi, Amjad Sabri was the newest member of the renowned Sabri group.
Amjad Sabri made his mark not just in Pakistan but also internationally. He has not only been credited with reviving the composition of his ancestors, but also played his part in adding new compositions to the collection.
Ajmad Sabri made it to the headlines the last time around during the release of Salman Khan starrer ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’. He, reportedly, claimed that the makers violated copyrights by using his qawwali ‘Bhar Do Jholi’ in the movie.
(With PTI inputs)
