Mumbai, May 9 -- The key equity benchmarks closed sharply lower today as mounting geopolitical tensions rattled investor confidence. The market selloff followed reports from the Indian Army of overnight drone and munition attacks by Pakistani forces along the western border, raising concerns over a potential escalation between the two nuclear-armed nations. The Nifty ended below the 24,010 level. Private banks and real estate stocks bore the brunt of the decline, while PSU banks and consumer durables attracted buying interest.

The S&P BSE Sensex, tumbled 880.34 points or 1.10% to 79,454.47. The Nifty 50 index fell 265.80 points or 1.10% to 24,008.

ICICI Bank dropped 3.16%, while HDFC Bank and Reliance Industries slipped 1.93% each, weig...