New Delhi (PTI): Senior journalist Waiel Awwad was elected as president of the International Association of Press Clubs (IAPC) at its annual assembly here on Saturday.

Awwad is also president of the Foreign Correspondents' Club of South Asia (FCC South Asia).

He took over the presidency from the London Press Club, the FCC South Asia said in a statement.

The IAPC unites more than 50 press clubs worldwide and serves as a global voice for journalists and freedom of expression.

"The election of Dr Awwad as president marks a new chapter for the International Association of Press Clubs. FCC South Asia's leadership and its long tradition of supporting foreign correspondents will enrich our global network. We are confident that under his guidance, the association will continue to grow stronger and serve as a beacon for press freedom worldwide," said IAPC secretary-general Jaroslaw Wtodarczyk.

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New Delhi (PTI): India on Sunday categorically rejected as baseless Pakistan's allegations of an Indian hand in attempts to disturb peace in Balochistan, and said it is Islamabad's usual tactics to deflect attention from its "internal failings".

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, trashing the charges, also highlighted Pakistan's record of suppression, brutality and violation of human rights.

"We categorically reject the baseless allegations made by Pakistan, which are nothing but its usual tactics to deflect attention from its own internal failings," he said.

Jaiswal was responding to Pakistan military's unsubstantiated claim that India was supporting terrorist elements in their attempts to disturb peace in Balochistan.

"Instead of parroting frivolous claims each time there is a violent incident, it would do better to focus on addressing long-standing demands of its people in the region. Its record of suppression, brutality and violation of human rights is well known," he added.

At least 15 Pakistani soldiers and 92 militants were killed in multiple counter-terrorism operations carried out by Pakistani security forces in Balochistan province, the Pakistan army said.

The operations were launched after militants belonging to ethnic Baloch groups carried out attacks at several locations on Saturday, it said in a statement.

The Pakistan army said the militants attempted to disturb peace by carrying out terrorist activities in and around Quetta, Mastung, Nushki, Dalbandin, Kharan and Panjgur, it said.