With the economic turmoil of the transition period out of the Soviet system, many groups have developed to ruin the peace in society and gain personally. As to whether I consider these extremists heretics, I can say that hurting another human being is the greatest sin of all. The Koran says that when you save another human being, you save the entire world. A true Muslim never hurts another neither in words or deeds. Extremists are hurting people with their words when they call non-extremists Kafirs.
Extremists use weapons to kill other human beings.
The Koran says that we must forgive someone who hurt you personally. But you must not forgive those who intend to hurt your people or your country. It is a very low act to take hostages. They are evil hiding in the skin of a wolf. No, they are not true Muslims.