"Three of our own are gone. Everyone else is wounded."
A bus carrying a qawwali troupe came under gunfire in Balochistan’s Kalat district.
The attack left three members of the troupe dead and thirteen others injured.
The group was targeted late at night near the Johan area, when unknown gunmen opened fire on the bus.
Law enforcement officials have confirmed the incident as a deliberate assault.
The victims were en route to a private performance in Quetta when their journey was violently interrupted.
Among the deceased was Muhammad Asif, a young bassist from Karachi, widely respected in the music industry for his talent and dedication.
He had performed with artists such as Rahim Shah and Natasha Baig, and was known for his humility and musical precision.
The other two victims, Muhammad Ahmed Bashir Sabri and Muhammad Raza, were longtime members of the qawwali group.
Though not officially performing under Amjad Sabri’s banner, the troupe was part of his extended artistic circle.
Their instruments were also damaged in the incident.
The shooting has left the qawwali troupe shaken, with every member suffering physical or emotional injuries.
In a deeply emotional video message, Nadeem Sabri, brother of troupe leader Majid Ali Sabri, spoke about the terrifying moment.
He revealed: “We were just thirty minutes from our destination when the shooting began.”
He questioned the motive behind the violence, asking why peace-bringing artists had been targeted so cruelly.
The artist questioned: “Three of our own are gone. Everyone else is wounded. Even our instruments are broken, how do we recover from this?”
The loss of Muhammad Asif triggered tributes across the music community.
Nimra Rafiq, known for her work on Coke Studio, posted a tribute online, recalling their many performances together.
Music producer Hassan Ali Effandi described Asif as a beloved figure on Karachi’s live performance circuit.
He remembered Asif as “someone who was always smiling, always ready to play”.
A First Information Report has been registered by local authorities, and investigations are ongoing.
However, no arrests have been reported so far, and motives remain unclear.
Civil society members, artists, and fans have condemned the attack, calling for improved security for artists travelling between provinces.
Many fear this incident could discourage performers from accepting gigs in remote areas.
The attack has amplified growing concerns around artist safety in Pakistan.
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