March 19 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index opened lower on Thursday as an escalation

in the Middle East conflict following attacks on energy infrastructure in the region sapped risk

appetite, while miners slid tracking metal prices lower.

At 09:31 a.m. ET, the Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index was down

1.6% at 31,798.87.

(Reporting by Purvi Agarwal in Bengaluru)