The Indian benchmark indices opened sharply lower on Friday as tensions escalated between Israel and Iran. Selling was seen in the auto, IT, Financial service and PSU Bank sectors in the early trade. At around 9.33 am, Sensex was trading 896.5 points or 1.10 per cent down at 80,795.44 while the Nifty declined 278.5 point or 1.12 per cent at 24,609.70.