Mumbai, March 17 (IANS): Key Indian equity indices were trading in the green during the afternoon session on Thursday in line with global cues, particularly after the US Federal Reserve kept its key interest rates unchanged after a much-watched two-day meeting that concluded on Wednesday.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the BSE, which opened at 24,852.18 points, was trading at 24,848.51 points (at 01.33 p.m.) in the afternoon session -- higher 166.03 points, or 0.67 percent from the previous day's close at 24,682.48 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 24,948.30 points and a low of 24,802.44 points in the trade so far.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was also trading higher by 62.70 points, or 0.84 percent at 7,561.45 points.

Sector-wise, the S&P BSE oil and gas index surged by 2.90 percent, basic materials index moved up by 2.06 percent and telecom index gained by 1.73 percent.