India, March 12 -- Market benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty ended nearly 2 per cent lower on Wednesday after a day's breather as a spike in global crude oil prices amid growing tensions in West Asia unnerved investors.

Besides, sustained foreign fund outflows and selling in blue-chip bank stocks added to the pressure, traders said.The 30-share BSE Sensex tumbled 1,342.27 points or 1.72 per cent to settle at 76,863.71. During the day, it dropped 1,446.72 points or 1.84 per cent to 76,759.26. A total of 2,380 stocks declined. While 1,881 advanced and 153 remained unchanged on the BSE.

The 50-share NSE Nifty tanked 394.75 points or 1.63 per cent to end at 23,866.85. "Investor sentiment remained fragile as escalating geopolitical tensions ...