New Delhi  - India equities posted solid gains Friday with the Sensex rising by 2.4 per cent to breach the 17,000-point level for the first time in nearly two months.

The 30-share benchmark index of the Bombay Stock Exchange settled at 17,125.98 points adding 404.9 points in the day's trade with blue- chip telecom, metal, banking and refinery stocks attracting funds as well as general investors.

According to market analysts, the trading sentiment turned firm after Bharti Airtel, the country's largest mobile phone operator, reported a growth of 37 per cent in the fiscal fourth quarter ending March 31.

The broader 50-share Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) which opened at 4,999.15 points also posted a strong gain, closing 112.85 points, or 2.24 per cent, higher at 5,111.7 points. (dpa)