Fingers that beat out magic stilled by terrorists

Shahbaz Ali, a key member of the Majid Ali Sabri Qawwal ensemble, has been shifted from Quetta to Karachi after suffering serious injuries in last month's terrorist attack on the troupe's bus in Balochistan.

Shahbaz, who played the tabla for the troupe, lost three fingers of his right hand in the attack while his left hand has also been disabled. When The Express Tribune visited his residence, his father Abid Ali was feeding him, as he is no longer able to break food by himself.

After finishing his meal, Shahbaz, at his own request, struck the tabla with his two remaining fingers and sang "Aaj Jaane Ki Zid Na Karo."

"This is the first time I touched the tabla in a month," he said. Calling the attack a "horrific nightmare," he said he had never imagined such a tragedy could befall the ensamble.

"We were always welcomed with flowers and smiles at our mehfils, but that day was terrifying," he added.

Recounting the incident, Shahbaz said the group had left Karachi early in the morning and he was asleep when gunfire and blasts jolted him awake. "The terrorists tried to throw hand grenades inside the bus, but by the grace of Allah they exploded outside. We saved our lives by lying on the floor and hiding behind the seats," he said.

Among the passengers was eight-year-old Hassan, the youngest member of the ensemble, who survived after his uncle Ahmed Ali Sabri shielded him with his body.

Hassan, who had insisted on travelling with the elders to Quetta, said he crouched on the floor in fear when the attack began. His uncle wrapped him tightly in his arms, saving his life but losing his own.