KARACHI, Jan 15: The University of Karachi has rusticated three students allegedly involved in a bomb blast that occurred on the campus on Dec 28.

According to the notification, Hafeezullah Khan (student at the international relations department), Syed Feyaz Ali (chemistry, evening programme) and Mohammad Umer (food science and technology) have been rusticated and prohibited from entering the KU campus on any pretext. Earlier, it was reported that the suspects were former KU students.

The blast occurred when students belonging to the Imamia Students Organisation were about to offer Zuhar prayers on a lawn near the central cafeteria. Four students were injured in the blast.

The Mubina Town police registered a case (FIR 631/2010) under Sections 334 (intentionally causing hurt to any person) and 34 (common intention) of the Pakistan Penal Code. Sections ¾ of the Explosive Act and 7 of the Anti Terrorism Act were also incorporated in the FIR lodged by Muhammad Asif, the Karachi University chief security officer.

The Special Investigation Unit (SIU) of the Karachi police arrested the suspects after a brief shoot-out on Hub River Road within the remit of the Mauripur police station on Jan 11.

The police claimed to have seized an AK-47 assault rifle, two shotguns, two .30-bore pistols and two hand grenades from their possession.

The SIU claimed that the suspects got militant training in Waziristan, Ugi and Miramshah and were part of a group called Punjabi Mujahideen.

The suspects were recently handed over to the police on physical remand till Jan 20 by the administrative judge of the anti-terrorism courts in Karachi.