Mumbai, Nov 21 (IANS): A benchmark index for Indian equities markets fell below the psychological 16,000-mark Monday for the first time in almost one and a half months due to weak cues from Asian and other global markets.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the BSE, which opened lower at 16,297.03 points, closed at 15,946.10, down 2.60 percent or 425.41 points, from its previous close at 16,371.51.

The Sensex touched a high of 16,297.03 points and low of 15,900.30 in intra-day.

At the National Stock Exchange, the 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty slumped 2.60 percent to close at 4,778.35 points.

Both benchmarks had lost about 5 percent last week as the European debt crisis continued to plague Indian investors.

Broader markets as well as all the sectoral indices also closed in the red with metal, banking and realty stocks facing the maximum selling pressure.

Metal index of the BSE slumped 3.46 percent. Banking and realty indices also lost over 3 percent.