President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

In a condolence message on Friday (8 July), the head of the state strongly condemned the brutal killing.

The head of the state prayed for the salvation the departed soul of Shinzo Abe and conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, on behalf of the people of Bangladesh and herself, has extended her deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathies at the most tragic demise of the former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

The prime minister in a letter addressed to her Japanese counterpart Kishida Fumio, wrote the passing away of a 'statesman' like Mr Abe is not only a loss for Japan but also for the entire world because of his leadership, vision, and wisdom.

"At this time of great distress, we recollect with the deepest gratitude his (Abe's) immense contributions to elevating the bilateral relationship between Bangladesh and Japan to a new comprehensive partnership during his tenure as the prime minister of Japan," reads a press release of the PMO Press Wing.

Furthermore, the prime minister said: "The people of Bangladesh join me in standing by the side of the mourning people of Japan at this time of most unexpected misfortune. We offer our prayers for the courage and fortitude of the bereaved friendly people of Japan and family members of the late Mr Abe.”

Abe, 67, had been delivering a stump speech near a train station in the western city of Nara when he was shot by an assailant.

He was rushed to the hospital, where he succumbed to his death.