India, Oct. 22 -- Sensex and Nifty opened lower on Thursday, extending losses for a third consecutive session as the escalating Middle East conflict kept crude oil prices above $110 per barrel, fuelling inflation concerns in the world's third-largest oil importer.

The benchmark Nifty 50 fell 0.54% to 22,687.75, while the BSE Sensex declined 0.5% to 73,343.3 at 9:15 am IST.

Market weakness was broad-based, with 15 of the 16 major sectoral indices trading lower. The broader small-cap and mid-cap indices fell 1.3% each.

Brent crude futures rose 1.6% to $110.60 per barrel after fresh attacks in Saudi Arabia by Yemen's Houthi rebels prompted the United States to order some diplomats and their family members to leave its missions in the king...