ISLAMABAD, Feb 24: Lawyers representing the six detained nuclear scientists and officials on Tuesday said they would appeal to the Supreme Court after applications for their release were rejected.

A two-judge bench of the Lahore High Court on Monday dismissed the petitions after the government said the detentions were necessary to stop the leaking of nuclear secrets.

"We are waiting to get attested copies of the court's order after which we intend to file appeals at the Supreme Court," lawyer Shah Khawar told AFP. The petitions were filed by close relatives of the six, who were all associated with Khan Research Laboratory.

The government told the high court that the six detainees were directly or indirectly responsible for leaking nuclear secrets.