Dhaka: Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has decided to hold an internet blackout drill tonight (Monday night) in Dhaka aiming to take prompt steps for suspending internet operation if incidents like that of Gulshan and Sholakia take place in the future.

BTRC officials said they faced some problems to shut down the internet in Gulshan area during the attack on Holey Artisan Bakery on 1 July.

Talking to UNB, BTRC chairman Dr Shahjahan Mahmood said, ‘We’ll shut down internet operation in any area tonight to have an experience so that we can take immediate action in case of emergency.’

He also said there will be such drills in other cities of the country in phases.

Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh (ISPAB) will assist the telecom regulatory authority in the blackout exercise, Mahmood added.