Solution to 25D has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered only by a non-regular / novice commenter, with proper annotation. Those who have answered earlier in the week, please give others a chance.
ACROSS
8 Mid-day for ex-Pakistani PM? (4) NOON [DD]
12 Takes back comments on portions of land (8) RETRACTS {RE}{TRACTS}
13 Met returning insects, for example, in storms (8) TEMPESTS {MET<=}{PESTS}
15 Kidnap sailor with pipe (6) ABDUCT {AB}{DUCT}
17 Learned saint passed away around mid-January (7) STUDIED {ST{janUary}{DIED}
22 After Saturday, vehicle returned to get modern steering system (3-3) SAT-NAV {SAT}{VAN<=}
24 Top student with cape (8) HEADLAND {HEAD}{L}{AND}
26 This type of clue is used in the French game (8) LACROSSE {L{ACROSS}E}
DOWN
1 Female model carries rings for base (4) FOOT {F}{OO}{T}
2 Removed top of container and caned pup violently (8) UNCAPPED*
3 Setback after Ottoman commander gets stones (6) AGATES {SET<=}{AGA}
5 Commanding Officer gets a trail location to hang MacIntosh, perhaps (8) COATRACK {CO}{A}{TRACK}
6 Where nails are easily available? (2,4) ON HAND [DD]
7 Specially trained police unit drops team in valley in Pakistan (4) SWAT [DD] (Addendum SWAT team - See comments)
14 Surplus pictures, perhaps, returned by old spouse (5) EXTRA {EX}{ART<=}
16 John captures the French without weapons? (5) CLEAN {C{LE}AN}
18 Foresee English travel authorisation getting elusive, for starters (8) ENVISAGE {EN}{VISA}{Ge...g}{El...e}
20 Fouls American Indian during elections (8) POLLUTES {POLL{UTE}S}
21 Protective devices taken into custody around one on board ship (7) SHIELDS {S{H{1}ELD}S}
23 Norse bowman's projectile is thin (6) NARROW {N}{ARROW}
25 Threw components removed from damaged water heater and let air circulate (6) A?R?T? (Addendum AERATE {wAter + hEATER}* - See comments)
27 First father and mother followed astrology in the beginning (4) ADAM {DAM}<=>{As...y}
29 Advanced money for a month before Easter (4) LENT [DD]
Reference List
On = RE, Sailor = AB, Saint = ST, Student = L, The in French = LE, Georgia = GA, Female = F, Model = T, Ottoman Commander = AGA, Commanding Officer = CO, Old spouse = EX, John = Addendum CAN, English = EN, Ship = SS, Norse = N, Mother = DAM
7d Its "swat team" minus team. DD!
ReplyDeleteIn that case it's not DD
DeleteIn the original abvn T stood for team
Sree sree's anno is the intended anno. However, it is not a DD. It is a simple deletion from of team from "SWAT team". In the abbreviation, T does not stand for team. SWAT stands for Special Weapons and Tactics.
DeleteAgreed, though wiki says it was originally 'Special Weapons Assault Team'
DeleteIndeed. Unlike erstwhile capital Berlin, no erstwhile used here ;)
DeleteThey probably had only Special weapons and no tactics in their early days ;)
DeleteRare occasion when "the hammerist" Went for Optics.
DeleteBut for two, did all in less than 30 minutes. Just follow the directions if the clue. Thus spake elders ...Incognitos cluesare wafting like melliflous music..
ReplyDeletetouch of U.S. refuses to leave Incognito- Ute,the American Indian. Had to google this.
ReplyDelete25 down, aerate, threw out from water heater ie. Ateaer, anagram aerate meaning let air circulate.
ReplyDeleteBlog looks colourful Col.
ReplyDelete31A- Dot from full stop after Georgia?
ReplyDeleteYes sir
DeleteThanks!
Delete25D: {WATER HEATER - [THREW]}* = AERATE. I may have gotten the annotations wrong here, apologize ahead of time.
ReplyDeleteFirst time ever - I did not get a word in an incognito puzzle.
ReplyDeleteGADOT š
In 31ac - what is the role of Gal? Merely for surface???
ReplyDeleteI got confused & did not get GADOT.
Nice grid Kishore.
Thanx
When you have a doubt, look for Col.'s link. Her name is Gal Gadot.
ReplyDeleteOh! Thank u. I missed it.
ReplyDelete