Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has ordered a shutdown of mobile networks along the Bangladesh-India border. The operators had on Monday suspended networks within one kilometre of the borders with India after receiving an order on Sunday night.

Addressing media, Zakir Hossain Khan, senior assistant director (media) of the BTRC said, "In view of the high-level directives of the government, the border network has been ordered to close."

An official of a cell phone operator, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told India Today TV, "The directions were taken immediately after we received the instruction."

"There are about 2,000 mobile phone towers in the border area. This will create problems for around 10 million users in the border areas," the official said.

Several media outlets in Bangladesh have published letters containing instructions from the BTRC. The directive was sent to Grameenphone, Teletalk, Robi and Banglalink mobile network companies on Sunday night.

The directive states that in the current context, network coverage should be stopped in the border areas until further guidance is given for the safety of the country.