New Delhi, June 11 -- Indian equity benchmark indices opened lower on Thursday, tracking weakness in global and Asian markets amid rising geopolitical tensions in West Asia and concerns over persistent inflation.

The BSE Sensex was down 367.19 points or 0.50 per cent at 73,615.99, while the NSE Nifty 50 declined 110.55 points or 0.48 per cent to 23,104.40 in early trade.

Asian markets also traded lower. Japan's Nikkei 225 fell 0.25 per cent to 64,016.00 points, Hong Kong's Hang Seng index dropped 1.15 per cent to 24,128.00 points, and Taiwan Weighted slipped 1.79 per cent to 42,466.32 points.

Explaining the market weakness, Ajay Bagga, Banking and Market expert, said, "The US has launched a second consecutive day of military strikes on...