New Delhi - India's benchmark Sensex index surged by over 350 points on Thursday buoyed by investor confidence after the country's inflation rate touched a nine-month low of 6.84 per cent.

The 30-share sensitive Sensex index of the Bombay Stock Exchange rose 361.14 points, or 3.72 per cent, to close at 10,076.43.

There was brisk buying in blue-chip stocks in the banking, realty, power and information technology sectors.

New Delhi - India's cricket tour to Pakistan was called off on Thursday in the wake of last month's terrorist attacks in Mumbai that have strained ties between the neighbours, officials said.

India's cricket squad led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni were to tour Pakistan in January and February next year but the Indian government refused permission to the team to travel to Pakistan.

The government's decision, based on "diplomatic reasons as well as security concerns" was conveyed to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President Shashank Manohar, officials in the External Affairs Ministry said.

New Delhi - Filmmakers in Bollywood, India's prolific film industry based in Mumbai, have registered about 30 titles for movie projects about the November terrorist attacks, a news report said Thursday.

26 Taj, Operation 5 Star Mumbai and Bird's Point of View: Taj Terror are some of the titles that have been registered by film-makers planning movies about the attacks on luxury hotels, the city's main railway station and other targets, the IANS news agency reported.

The titles were registered with Bollywood's two producers' groups, the Indian Motion Picture Producers' Association and the Association of Motion Picture and Television Programme Producers.

New Delhi, Dec 18 : Defence Minister AK Antony today met the three services chiefs and Defence Secretary to review the overall security situation and to take stock of the state of preparedness of the Armed Forces.

The position with regard to certain critical equipment and the status of ongoing acquisition was reviewed in detail, top Defence Ministry sources said.

Antony emphasised the need for the forces to be fully geared up to face any challenge or threat that may arise. Security along the land and maritime borders, particularly in the light of terror threats was reviewed.

New Delhi - India's inflation rate fell sharply 6.84 per cent for the week ending December 6, down from 8 per cent the week before, government data showed Thursday.

The inflation rate, linked to India's wholesale price index, was at its lowest in nine months primarily because of cuts in petrol and diesel prices announced by the government recently.

Inflation in India has been on the decline since it hit its peak of 12.91 per cent in the week what ended August 2. The rate during the same period last year was 3.84 per cent.

New Delhi, Dec 18: The first session of the Delhi's new Legislative Assembly will begin here today.

Pro-term Speaker Jagdish Mukhi will administer the oath of membership to Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, including other elected members of the Assembly.

The election of Speaker will be held on December 19.

Lieutenant Governor Tejinder Khanna will deliver his address on December 22. On the last day of session on December 23, a Motion of Thanks for Lieutenant Governor''s address will be moved in the House.