An Indian security analist told the BBC during a TV interview that the city had warnings as early as September. Messages had come through intercepted phone calls.

In the meantime, India's Home Minister had resigned.

Ratan Tata, the owner of Taj Hotels, said the hotel had been warned of a possible attack and had increased security the past weeks.

He also noted that it was not enough to stop given what he claims were a series of well-planned, well-organized attacks.

Ratan Tata, in the same interview with CNN's Fareed Zakeria, went on to criticize the preparedness of the Indian officials. Which is interesting seeing as the hotel had returned to a normal level of security shortly before this week's terror attacks.

The owners of the Taj Mahal Hotel stated "People couldn't park their cars in the portico, where you had to go through a metal detector." However, the attackers did not enter through the entrance that has a metal detector. Instead, they came in a back entrance."

"If I look at what we had ... it could not have stopped what took place," Tata said in an interview with CNN's Fareed Zakaria that has been aired yesterday.

The Times of India reported that Ratan Tata surveyed the heritage building which has suffered extensive damage in the three days of fierce gunbattle in Mumbai with militants and had said it would "rebuild and restore every inch of the hotel to its original glory".

The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage said it is ready to offer its expertise in restoring the 105-year old structure.

Messages from Raymond Bickson, CEO and managing director, Indian Hotels

Honouring Taj employees who lost their lives during the terrorist attacks and caring for employees of the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower.

It is a matter of the deepest sadness to the Taj family that 10 (ten) of our colleagues lost their lives during the course of the terrorist attack on the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower hotel, leaving their families in deep grief.

Another cause for the most profound sadness has been the death of family members of employees during the attack. As has already been reported, the wife and two children of Karimbir Kang, general manager of the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower were killed on the first night of the terrorist attack.

Over the course of the next few days the entire Taj family will be commemorating our colleagues who gave their lives and a memorial service is in the course of being organised. We stand together, unified in grief at their passing and in respect of their honour and courage.

The Taj group has also made arrangements to support the 11 employees who were injured during the attacks.  All those who require medical assistance or counselling support are receiving it and, of course, we are taking care of all their expenses. All the employees of the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower are being taken care of and some may be redeployed until operations are resumed.