Patna, Jan. 22: A woman and her teenaged daughter were killed in an apparent dacoity in Jehanabad district, 60km south of Patna, this morning.

The criminals decamped with cash and some jewellery. Another daughter of the deceased woman was seriously injured but no male member was hurt. Sources said the elder daughter had received a threat to her life from a youth over a failed affair. An officer at Kako police station said they would interrogate the victims' family members.

Jehanabad superintendent of police (SP) Ansuyia Ransingh Sahu said sniffer dogs were pressed into service to identify the accused. She said a special team led by a deputy superintendent of police has been set up to solve the case.

The police said the criminals barged into the house of Anil Singh at Hajipur village under Kako police station around 2am and shot dead his wife Savita Devi (45) and teenaged daughter Mona Kumari. His other daughter, a minor, suffered serious bullet injuries and was rushed to the Jehanabad Sadar Hospital, which referred her to Patna Medical College and Hospital.

Anil, posted as a teacher in Bhojpur district, told the police the criminals opened fire after his brother, nephew, wife and daughters offered resistance. An investigating officer said the criminals decamped with Rs 20,000 and various ornaments. 'The case is being probed from all angles,' he said.

Shocked residents threatened a protest over the law and order situation. Makhdumpur block BJP president Krishna Murari Sharma sought immediate arrest of the accused.