ISLAMABAD, Dec 2: Defence Minister Rao Sikandar Iqbal on Monday dismissed the latest threats of war by his Indian counterpart Lal Krishna Advani as mere rhetoric and said that India was fully aware of Pakistan’s defence capabilities.

Talking to newsmen here at a function, the defence minister said that Pakistan defence forces were fully capable of defending the motherland.

“Pakistan is a peace-loving nation and has always pursued peace as full means of resolving issues,” he added.

Mr Iqbal regretted that hawks in the Vajpayee’s cabinet were still beating the war drums.

He warned that any war in the region could prove disastrous as both the countries had nuclear weapons and any war could lead to a nuclear conflagration.