Mumbai, April 19: Taking a cue from global markets, the key Indian equity market indices on Thursday opened higher.
The Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the BSE, which had closed at 34,331.68 points on Wednesday, opened higher at 34,403.67 points.
Minutes into trading, it was quoting at 34,446.68 points, up by 115 points, or 0.33 per cent.
At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 51-scrip Nifty, which had closed at 10,526.20 points on Wednesday, was quoting at 10,564.15 points, up by 37.95 points or 0.36 per cent.
Profit booking, along with heavy selling pressure in the banking sector stock led the key Indian equity indices to break their nine-day gaining streak on Wednesday.
According to market observers, the key equity indices, however, had traded in the green for the better part of the session on the back of positive global cues and forecast of normal monsoon rains.
The Sensex was down by 63.38 points or 0.18 per cent at the Wednesday's closing. In the day's trade, the barometer 30-scrip sensitive index had touched a high of 34,591.81 points and a low of 34,270.04 points. The Nifty too, was down by 22.50 points or 0.21 per cent.
On Thursday, Asian indices were showing a positive trend. Japan's Nikkei 225 was quoting in green, up by 0.51 per cent while Hang Seng up by 1.33 per cent, South Korea's Kospi was up by 0.34 per cent. China's Shanghai Composite index was trading in green, up by 0.78 per cent.
Nasdaq closed in green, up by 0.19 per cent, while FTSE 100 was also up by 1.25 percent at the closing on Wednesday.
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Pak, Afghan forces trade fire along Chaman border: Report
Islamabad (PTI): A heavy exchange of fire between Pakistani and Afghan forces was reported from the key Chaman border, according to a media report on Saturday.
Injuries were reported from the district hospital, but no fatalities occurred, the Dawn newspaper reported.
Officials from both sides accused each other of instigating the flare-up late on Friday night across the border in the Balochistan province.
While Pakistani officials said that Afghan forces had fired mortar shells on the Badani area, Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid claimed it was Pakistan that launched an attack on Spin Boldak, alleging that their forces were responding.
Pakistan's official sources told Dawn that Pakistani forces retaliated against the Afghan aggression and returned fire.
There were also reports of fighting on the Chaman-Kandahar highway, but these could not be immediately verified.
A senior official in Quetta confirmed on condition of anonymity that the exchange of fire started around 10 pm and continued until late at night.
The medical superintendent of Chaman district hospital said that three injured, including a woman, were brought to the medical facility.
There was neither any official word from the Inter-Services Public Relations -- Pakistan Army's media wing -- nor from the Foreign Office.
The Chaman border crossing, also known as Friendship Gate, connects Balochistan province to Afghanistan’s Kandahar.
Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have deteriorated amidst regular allegations by Pakistan regarding the failure of the Afghan regime to deny safe havens to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan terrorists.
The two countries had agreed on a ceasefire following tensions last month, but the Foreign Office said last month that technically there was no truce as it was contingent on the Afghan Taliban stopping terrorist attacks in Pakistan, which they had failed to do.
