Amjad Sabri was shot dead in Pakistan's Karachi today.
Karachi:
Pakistan's Qawwali singer Amjad Sabri, of the noted Sabri Brothers group, was shot dead in Karachi this afternoon, in what the police described as an "act of terror" that triggered ing an outpouring of grief.
Mr Sabri, aged around 45, was on his way to a recording this morning. But when his car was in the city's Liaquatabad area, a motorcycle pulled up alongside the vehicle and the attackers opened fire.
The artiste sustained five bullet injuries and was declared dead at the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.
His relative Saleem Sabri, who were also in the car, and a driver, were reportedly injured. Saleem Sabri is said to be in a critical condition.
"It was a targeted killing and an act of terrorism," news agency AFP quoted Muqaddas Haider, a senior police officer, as saying.
The Sabri brothers were the ones to take Qawwali - a music rooted in Sufism -- to the West in 1970s. The group was started by the late Ghulam Farid Sabri and his younger brother Haji Maqbool Ahmed Sabri. Amjad Sabri was the son of Ghulam Sabri.
Islamic extremists reject Sufi traditions and have targeted Sufis in the past.
Mr Sabri's death witnessed an outpouring of grief, shock and anger on Twitter.
Mr Sabri, aged around 45, was on his way to a recording this morning. But when his car was in the city's Liaquatabad area, a motorcycle pulled up alongside the vehicle and the attackers opened fire.
The artiste sustained five bullet injuries and was declared dead at the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.
His relative Saleem Sabri, who were also in the car, and a driver, were reportedly injured. Saleem Sabri is said to be in a critical condition.
"It was a targeted killing and an act of terrorism," news agency AFP quoted Muqaddas Haider, a senior police officer, as saying.
The Sabri brothers were the ones to take Qawwali - a music rooted in Sufism -- to the West in 1970s. The group was started by the late Ghulam Farid Sabri and his younger brother Haji Maqbool Ahmed Sabri. Amjad Sabri was the son of Ghulam Sabri.
Islamic extremists reject Sufi traditions and have targeted Sufis in the past.
Mr Sabri's death witnessed an outpouring of grief, shock and anger on Twitter.
Amjad Sabri singing Bhar Do Jholi. Murdered today by those who think the world is better without this great voice. https://t.co/TsrMNBKZiY
- Kamila Shamsie (@kamilashamsie) June 22, 2016
Shocked at the murder of famous qawwal Amjad Sabri & his companions in Karachi. A complete failure of law & order & writ of the govt.
- Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) June 22, 2016
Feeling shocked to listen about the murder of famous qawal #amjadsabri . Strongly condemn this act of terror. May his soul rest in peace.
- Sohail Nagra (@SohailNagra127) June 22, 2016
Am shocked at killing of Amjad Sabri & others alongside him.Karachi is becoming a hotbed. Operation is failing? Where is SGovt,Rangers,Army?
- Dr. Arif Alvi (@ArifAlvi) June 22, 2016
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