MANSEHRA, Oct 1: Over 2,000 Afghan refugees have left the Mansehra district for their country since the suicide bombings in America on Sept 11 to take part in the expected war against the US-led allied forces, according to a Dawn survey.

Some nine camps had been established in the district following the exodus of Afghans from their country after the invasion of Soviet troops.

The camps were later converted into two main camps. One camp is located at the Khakee area which comprises 4,305 families with a total population of 26,296 and the other situated at the Barary area houses 4,469 families with a total population of 26,239.

It was learnt that in the aftermath of terror attacks on America, around 3,000 fresh Afghans fearing US strikes against their country had entered the two camps. Most of the families are staying as guests with relatives as the construction of more Katcha houses in the camps is banned. Some of the families have settled in the Mansehra city, while some are staying in the outskirts of the city.

It is also learnt that young members of the newly-displaced families return to Afghanistan leaving behind their families to take part in the war if the American forces attacked Afghanistan.

One Khalid Khan, who studied medicine (MD) in the Kabul University, told Dawn that he came to Pakistan four days ago as the university was closed on Sept 17 for fear of the strikes. There are 8,000 students in the university, who mostly belong to the Paktia and Nangrahar provinces.

“We will take part in the war against America because Osama bin Laden and Taliban are not involved in the attacks on Pentagon and World Trade Centre. I have come here just to see my family,” he said, adding that he would go back in a few days to fight for Taliban.