The atmosphere is subdued as many residents have left town and local business has declined. The hospital in central Musa Qala is padlocked, and the district government office has been completely demolished by Taleban militants. The bazaar is quiet, with none of its former bustle. Foreign air strikes have also done a lot of damage – many houses lie in ruins, and there are big holes in surrounding fields. Hajji Nazar Mohammad, an elder in the Musa Qala district, said many people had fled the district in fear. “More than 75 per cent of the residents have gone,” he said. “The only people left are those who couldn’t afford to go. We are in a very bad economic situation.”
One shopkeeper, who did not want to be named, said that his business had fallen by 80 per cent. “I am lucky, though,” he said. “Most of the other shops have closed completely.” The shopkeeper seemed nervous, and kept saying he did not want the Taleban to see him talking to me. He was not the only one. A lot of people refused to talk out of fear of the insurgents.