The telecoms regulator has ordered mobile operators to shutdown networks along with the borders with India citing security reasons.

Operators have suspended networks within a kilometre of the borders following the directive by the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) late on Sunday (Dec 29).

"The network shutdown has been ordered following directives from the government," BTRC Senior Assistant Director (media) Jakir Hossain Khan told Bangla Tribune on Monday (De 30).

In its directove to Grameenphone, Teletalk, Robi and Banglalink, the regulator said network coverage will have to be suspended until further notice “for the sake of the country’s security in the current circumstances”.

Operators have closed around 2,000 base transceiver stations (BTSs) soon after the regulator's directive came, a senior official of a mobile operator.

The order is estimated to affect around 10 million users, according to the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

According to sources, the decision came after a high-level meeting of home and foreign affairs ministries.

A senior home ministry official, however, said he was not aware of the matter.

"I have no knowledge on shutting down mobile network within one kilometre of the border," said Additional Secretary (political and ICT) Abu Bakar Siddique of the ministry's Public Security Division.