Between 2001 and 2005, the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) lost at least 10 laptop computers containing classified information, CNN reported yesterday.

The 10 were among the 160 laptops lost or stolen during a 44-month period ending September 30, 2005, Justice Department's Inspector General Glenn Fine was quoted as saying .

Along with the laptops, an equal numbers of weapons were also missing, he said.

However, Fine said the number of missing items, while still a problem, represents a sharp improvement since a 2002 audit, which found the FBI had more than 300 laptops and 300 weapons lost or stolen during the previous 28-month period.

He said that among the 10 missing laptops known to contain sensitive or classified information was one that had identifying information on FBI personnel.

Several more lost or stolen laptops may also contain sensitive counterintelligence or counterterrorism information, said the official.

More troubling is that the FBI could not determine for 51 additional lost or stolen laptops whether they contained sensitive or classified information.

The FBI has more than 50,000 weapons and more than 20,000 laptops in its inventory.