New Delhi, May 9 -- The Indian stock market benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty 50, are likely to open lower amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan.

The trends on Gift Nifty indicate a gap-down start for the Indian benchmark index. The Gift Nifty was trading around 23,974 level, a discount of nearly 298 points from the Nifty futures' previous close.

Certain military stations in India were targeted by Pakistani drones and missiles along the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). However, the threats were swiftly neutralised, while reports said that Indian Army Air Defence Units shot down two Pakistani drones in Naushera sector of J&K.

On Thursday, the domestic equity market ended lower, dragged by fag-end selling,...