I thought it should be locals who would exploit children but now things are more complicated. I hope author will explain it later because normally locals would just grab the weapon and run. For a peaceful human (and probably for the author too) this kids could be looking pitiful and deserving empathy but... people from Pamir Mountains are very crazy and brutal just like wild animals. Kids there are dangerous and could kill you if they have a numerical advantage without bating an eye.
Yet again the damn language barrier is totally ignored.