Mumbai, June 8 : Indian equities opened sharply lower on Monday, with benchmark indices falling 1 per cent each amid escalating tensions in West Asia, rising crude oil prices and weak global cues.

Sensex opened at 73,421.61, down over 800 points or 1.11 per cent, while Nifty began the session at 23,080.70, declining 286 points or 1.22 per cent.

Sector-wise, selling pressure was seen across realty, metal, auto and information technology stocks, which witnessed the sharpest declines. Realty stocks fell nearly 2 per cent, while metal, auto and IT indices lost over 1 per cent each.

Among Nifty constituents, Wipro, TCS, Hindalco Industries, Tata Steel, JSW Steel, Bajaj Finance and Shriram Finance were among the major laggards.

Weakness extended beyond frontline indices, with broader market indices under pressure as Nifty Midcap 100, Midcap 150 and Smallcap indices declined close to 1 per cent each.

However, market volatility increased sharply, with India VIX surging nearly 15 per cent to around 18

Analysts said the broader technical structure remains weak, with Nifty continuing to trade below key moving averages and maintaining a lower high-lower low formation, indicating persistent selling pressure.

They added that immediate support is seen around the 23,100-23,000 zone, while resistance remains clustered near the 23,500-23,700 range.

Investor sentiment remained fragile amid escalating geopolitical tensions in West Asia after renewed Israeli strikes on Lebanon and reports of explosions in multiple Iranian cities raised concerns that the conflict could broaden further and disrupt crude supplies through the Strait of Hormuz.

However, earlier, US President Donald Trump said an agreement to end the conflict remained achievable and reportedly urged Israeli leadership to avoid further escalation.

Meanwhile, crude oil prices traded higher, with international benchmark Brent crude rising 4 per cent to $96.90. Similarly, US WTI gained 4.64 per cent to $94.75.

Asian markets largely traded in the negative territory, with Japanâ??s Nikkei falling nearly 4 per cent, South Koreaâ??s KOSPI plunging 5 per cent, and Hong Kongâ??s Hang Seng declining about 1 per cent.

/IANS