The BSE benchmark Sensex traded over the 16,000 points level today, surging more than 350 points in the afternoon on fresh buying in metal, realty, power, capital goods and banking stocks. The BSE benchmark Sensex gained nearly 373 points or 2.37 percent and was trading at 16,068 a short while ago.In a similar fashion, the wide-based National Stock Exchange Nifty index moved up by 110 points, or 2.34 per cent, to 4,820. Asian shares shot up in early trade. Japan's Nikkei 225 index was trading higher by 1.5% at 8,287.49 and Hong Kong's Hang Seng index was trading higher at 18,010.06, up 1.8%. South Korea's Kospi index was trading 2.2% higher at 1815.12.