Former acting managing director of Bangladesh Submarine Cable Company, Mirza Kamal Ahmed, testified before International Crimes Tribunal-1 that then state minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Polok instructed him to shut down internet services on July 18, 2024, during the July uprising. He said Polok called him around 9 p.m. asking why the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission’s directive had not been implemented and told him to confirm once the shutdown was complete. Following the order, the submarine cables at Cox’s Bazar and Kuakata were disconnected within 15 minutes.

Mirza Kamal detailed that the shutdown decision was first communicated through BTRC’s WhatsApp groups named “18 July ITC Operation” and “IIG Operation,” involving representatives from BTRC, BTCL, and the submarine cable company. He expressed surprise at the instruction to cut submarine-level internet, noting it had never been done before. Later, on July 23, a meeting at BTRC led to the restoration of services that night, and another temporary shutdown occurred on August 5 following further directives.

The testimony was part of proceedings against Sajib Wazed Joy and Zunaid Ahmed Polok, both accused in the July genocide case.