A woman principal was shot dead in broad daylight in Patna on Saturday morning.

The principal of Patna-based institutute Mamta Technolgy Lalita Nand Karma was shot dead by unidentified criminals, police sources said.

"Two or three criminals came to meet her as students, shot her and fled," police sources said.

The incident has sent shockwaves in Patna.

Police officials said they will investigate into the murder.

They suspect extortion to be behind her killing. "It appears to be a case of refusal of extortion," police sources said.

In Patna, businessmen, rich traders, contractors, doctors and professions are soft targets for extortionists.