Mobile internet users in Khulna City Corporation said they faced difficulties in using mobile internet for five hours since 1.30 pm today.

Officials of multiple operators, seeking anonymity, said Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission directed them at around 1.30 pm to shutdown 3G and 4G telecom services in Khulna city immediately.

However, the 2G service, which enables voice service, was operational, they said.

The announcement came at a time when thousands of the supporters of Bangladesh Nationalist Party arrived in Khulna city by trains, motorcycles and other vehicles despite a transport strike to attend the party's rally today.

"I am not aware of any such instruction given by the BTRC unless there is a technical fault," BTRC Vice Chairman Subrata Roy Maitra told The Daily Star.

Telecom Minister Mustafa Jabbar said he also does not know anything about it.

The minister also said a technical glitch might have caused the internet disruption.

People in Khulna said they got access to mobile internet at around 6.30 pm, after about 5 hours of disruption.