'Lost my dear friend'; PM Modi announces one-day national mourning for former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed grief over the death of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Taking it to Twitter, the Prime Minister stated that he lost his dear friend.

'I am shocked and saddened beyond words at the tragic demise of one of my dearest friends, Shinzo Abe. He was a towering global statesman, an outstanding leader, and a remarkable administrator. He dedicated his life to make Japan and the world a better place,' Modi wrote on Twitter. The Prime Minister also announced one-day national mourning as a mark of respect for Abe.

I am shocked and saddened beyond words at the tragic demise of one of my dearest friends, Shinzo Abe. He was a towering global statesman, an outstanding leader, and a remarkable administrator. He dedicated his life to make Japan and the world a better place.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 8, 2022

Shinzo Abe, who was in critical condition after being shot during an election campaign, died on Friday. He was shot twice during a campaign speech at Nara in Western Japan and was soon airlifted to a hospital. According to the police, Abe was shot twice from behind with a shotgun. The police have arrested the assailant, 41-year-old Yamagami Tetsuya, in connection with the attack.