SRINAGAR, Jan 24: The chief minister of occupied Kashmir on Saturday said more than a dozen political prisoners would be released as part of peace moves.

"Nearly 18 (political prisoners) will be released today and more will be released later on Republic Day," Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Syed told reporters in New Delhi after meeting Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee.

Human rights groups say there are scores of people being detained without a trial in occupied Kashmir.

In Srinagar, Indian troops recovered rockets and grenades from a hideout of freedom fighters, which authorities said were aimed at disrupting India's Republic Day celebrations on Jan 26.

"According to intelligence input, this consignment was meant for carrying out attacks in Srinagar city during the Republic Day celebrations," a military spokesman said.

He claimed that rockets and other ammunition were recovered from a hideout of Jaish-i-Mohammad accused by New Delhi of an attack on the Indian parliament in 2001.

A faction of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference and another prominent group, the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front, have called for a strike on Monday to protest against celebrations.

Violence continued in the region on Saturday when seven people, including a woman and four freedom fighters, were killed and 10 others injured in separate gun battles, police said.-Reuters