The National Stock Exchange index, Nifty crossed the 5,000 points landmark in Thursday morning trade for first time in 16 months to quote at 5,003. The Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark index also gained 142 points to 16,820 points, the highest level achieved so far this year. The Sensex was at 16,771, 94 points up when reports last came in. Brokers said the Nifty breached the milestone in line with global cues.br/Hong Kong's Hang Seng rose 1.75 per cent and Japan's Nikkei was up by 0.91 per cent in the morning trade. The US Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 1.12 per cent higher in Wednesday's trading.