New Delhi, July 8 -- The Indian stock market witnessed sharp selling pressure on Wednesday, tracking weakness in global equities after fresh US strikes on Iran reignited geopolitical tensions.

The renewed escalation raised concerns over global energy supplies and triggered a broad risk-off sentiment, prompting investors to book profits following the market's recent rally.

The benchmark BSE Sensex fell more than 600 points, while the Nifty 50 declined nearly 0.8% to slip below the 24,200 level. Broader markets also came under pressure, with the Nifty Midcap 100 and Nifty Smallcap 100 indices declining more than 0.2% each.

Despite Wednesday's decline, the Nifty 50 has gained nearly 2% so far in July and had climbed above the 24,500 mark ...