By Our Reporter The Nepal government has expressed deep grief over the demise of former prime minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, who was shot while participating in an election campaign on Friday. The government paid tribute to the late Abe and also extended condolences to the Japanese government, people, and Abe's family members. Similarly, issuing a press statement, the Home Ministry said there would be the national mourning at Abe's demise on Saturday and no formal programmes will be held. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba sent a message of condolences to the Prime Minister of Japan, Fumio Kishida on the passing away Abe. The Prime Minister strongly condemned the heinous attack. In the message, Prime Minister Deuba has stated that late Abe was a visionary statesman, a charismatic leader and a relentless champion of democratic values and ideals. He has also stated that Abe’s demise is an irreparable loss not only for Japan but also for the world at large. Prime Minister Deuba has further mentioned that late Abe was a close friend and well-wisher of Nepal and recalled his contributions to further promoting and consolidating the friendly ties between Nepal and Japan during his long tenure as Prime Minister of Japan. Prime Minister Deuba extended condolences and sympathies to the bereaved family members of late Prime Minister Abe. Abe, 67, died after being shot while making a speech in the western city of Nara. Abe, the country’s longest-serving prime minister until he resigned in 2020, was flown to hospital by helicopter after the attack. His death was first reported by the public broadcaster NHK. It was the first assassination of a sitting or former Japanese premier since the days of prewar militarism in the 1930s. Speaking before Abe’s death was announced, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida condemned the shooting in the “strongest terms”, while Japanese people and world leaders expressed shock at the violence in a country in which political violence is rare and guns are tightly controlled. “This attack is an act of brutality that happened during the elections - the very foundation of our democracy - and is absolutely unforgivable,” said Kishida, struggling to keep his emotions in check. Footage and accounts broadcast by Japanese media showed Abe’s speech interrupted by two loud bangs – possibly from a shotgun – and smoke, with Abe stumbling to the ground after the second shot. Emergency services said he had been wounded on the right side of his neck and left clavicle. A fire department official had said Abe appeared to be in a state of cardiac arrest when airlifted to hospital. Abe’s last rites were performed on Tuesday, 12 July, in Tokyo, capital city of Japan.