Quicktakes

BJP leaders threaten to quit over Uttaranchal
LUCKNOW: BJP legislators and MPs representing the hilly districts of Uttar Pradesh today threatened to resign enmasse if there was any further delay in creation of the proposed Uttaranchal state. At a meeting called by president of BJP8217;s Uttaranchal committee, Bhagat Singh Koshiyari, party MPs and MLAs said they will meet the party high command in New Delhi on August 6 to press their demand and decide on the future course of action.

BJP meet
JAIPUR: A two-day national executive committee of BJP would be held here from August 21, party sources said. The State BJP unit has set up a number of committees to prepare for the executive meeting. The agenda of the meeting would be decided by party high command. Meanwhile, the State BJP has decided to hold a rally in the city to garner public support for the party in the Assembly elections later this year.

Pak won8217;t piggyback
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif today ruled outentering into any security arrangement with a super power to safeguard its national integrity, but said unrest in the region would be in the interest of neither India nor his country. He asserted that Pakistan did not want to be indebted to others to ensure security.

Ex-UK spies held
PARIS: Two former British intelligence agents have been arrested by French police and are being held in custody in Paris, an Interior Ministry source said here. David Shayler and Richard Tomlinson were arrested on Saturday and being detained at the headquarters of the DST, France8217;s counter-espionage service.