Bodies of Sabri Qawwals Brought to Karachi After Deadly Kalat Ambush

The artists were part of a qawwali troupe en route

to Quetta for a private performance when

they came under attack late Tuesday night

Staff Reporter

Karachi: A wave of grief engulfed Karachi on Thursday as the bodies of renowned qawwals Ahmed Hussain Sabri, his son Ahmed Raza Sabri, and emerging bass guitarist Muhammad Asif have been shifted to Karachi following a deadly ambush on their passenger bus in Balochistan’s Kalat district. The artists were part of a qawwali troupe en route to Quetta for a private performance when they came under attack late Tuesday night. Final burial arrangements are underway in Karachi.

Kalat Highway Turns Deadly: Musical Troupe Ambushed
The incident occurred near the Johan area of Kalat, where unidentified assailants opened fire on the passenger bus traveling from Karachi to Quetta. Police said the attackers, armed with automatic weapons, had been lying in wait on both sides of the Quetta-Karachi highway and launched a coordinated assault. Law enforcement has termed the attack a targeted act of terrorism.

Three Killed, 13 Injured in Brutal Attack
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kalat Shahzad Akbar confirmed that three members of the troupe were killed instantly, while 13 others sustained serious injuries. The deceased were identified as Ahmed Hussain Sabri, his son Ahmed Raza Sabri, and Muhammad Asif. The injured include Haider, Imran, Manzar, Abbas, Muhammad Saqib, Faisal, Muhammad Nadeem, Muhammad Rizwan, Musawir Abbas, Muhammad Waris, Faizan, Dilshad (all from Karachi), and the driver Najeeb Ahmed and Bilal Ahmed. Several critically injured individuals are receiving treatment in Quetta.

Music Industry Mourns the Loss of Talented Performers
Muhammad Asif, a gifted bassist from Karachi, had earned recognition performing with stars like Natasha Baig and Rahim Shah. Coke Studio singer Nimra Rafiq paid tribute, calling his death “heartbreaking.” Karachi-based producer Hassan Ali Effandi also praised Asif’s contribution to the live music circuit. The Sabri family, associated with Pakistan’s rich qawwali heritage, is now mourning the tragic loss of two of its torchbearers.

Majid Ali Sabri Shares Harrowing Details
Majid Ali Sabri, the elder brother of Ahmed Hussain, shared a tearful video message detailing the horror. “We were just 30 minutes away from Quetta when bullets rained down on us. Qawwals are messengers of peace—why were we targeted?” he asked. He revealed that nearly the entire group was injured and their instruments—essential to their livelihood—were destroyed.

Governor Tessori Visits Grieving Family in Karachi
Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori visited the Sabri residence in Karachi to express condolences. “This is a tragedy beyond words. We stand by the family in their grief,” he said. The Governor also condemned the ongoing electricity outages in the city, criticizing K-Electric for its failure to ensure power during a moment of national mourning.

Authorities Link Attack to India-Backed Terrorism
Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind stated that the attack appeared pre-planned and was carried out by terrorists launching fire from both sides of the road. A search operation is ongoing. Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti condemned the attack on social media, blaming Indian-backed groups. “This is not just terrorism—it’s an assault on our unity and peace,” he declared.

Nation Demands Protection for Cultural Icons
The attack has drawn outrage from civil society, musicians, and the general public, all calling for greater protection of cultural ambassadors. As the nation grieves, the loss of the Sabri qawwals and their fellow artist has left a deep wound in Pakistan’s cultural and artistic fabric.