Mumbai - Indian stocks opened lower on Friday, tracking weak global cues after the U.S. launched cruise missiles against Syria in response to a chemical attack by Syrian government forces on civilians earlier this week. 

Caution ahead of U.S. jobs report and the rupee's decline against the U.S. dollar too contribute to the negative start in the market. 

The BSE benchmark Sensex, which plunged to 29,763.02 in early trades, losing more than 160 points in the process, is currently at 29,821.60, down 105.74 points or 0.34% from its previous close.

The Nifty50 of the National Stock Exchange is down 31.70 points or 0.34% at 9230.25.

In the forex market, the rupee opened at 64.69 against the U.S. dollar, down 18 paise from its previous close of 64.51.

Adani Ports is declining 2.4%. Sun Pharmaceutical Industries is lower by about 2%. Coal India, Power Grid Corporation, Tata Motors, HDFC, ITC, Hindustan Unilever, Reliance Industries, Lupin and Asian Paints are down 0.5% - 1.3%.

Zee Entertainment Enterprises, Tata Motors DVR, Kotak Bank, Bank of Baroda, Aurobindo Pharma and Tata Power are also weak.

Bharti Airtel is gaining 1.7%. GAIL India, Tata Consultancy Services, Maruti Suzuki, Bajaj Auto, Hero Motocorp and ICICI Bank are up 0.3% - 1%.

Indian Oil Corporation is gaining 1.7%. BPCL is up 1.2% and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation is trading 1.3% up.

Tech Mahindra is up by about 1.5%, Bharti Infratel is gaining nearly 1% and UltraTech Cement is up 0.5%.