A mysterious fire that broke out in a 16-storey state owned building in Islamabad, on Tuesday night, reportedly destroyed valuable records containing sensitive information on Islamic militant outfits, some of them, which were banned by the Pakistan government. The 16-storey building has been largely gutted in the fire. The fire officials have said that more than 10 floors were completely destroyed in the blaze, which raged for over five hours on Tuesday night. The fire was initially noticed on the top 16th floor, which reportedly housed the records of the militant outfits. The fire raised eyebrows in Islamabad, as it took place barely days after President Pervez Musharaf`s ban on five militant organisations including groups such as Jaish-e-Muhammad and Lashkar-e-Toiba. Quoting official sources, Pakistan daily `The Nation` said the interior ministry kept its confidential record of religious and militant organisations on the 16th floor. The record of recently banned religious organizations and jehadi outfits was also said to be there, It said. There was no official comment on the report so far.
Besides, the records of the jehadi outfits, the records of arms licences issued to thousands of individuals were also destroyed in the fire, it said. Bureau Report