DHAKA: A knife attack in China`s southern Hunan province has killed at least three people, Chinese state media say.

Men armed with knives attacked civilians on Friday morning on a street in Changsha, Hunan`s provincial capital, the media said.

One attacker was shot dead by police, it was reported. Officials and police are in attendance, reports BBC.

China remains nervous after a stabbing spree in Yunnan province on 1 March left 29 people dead and 143 wounded.

There is no confirmed motive for Friday`s attack.

An unnamed official in Changsha told AFP news agency: "I can assure you it`s not a terror attack. It happened in a market due to some dispute."

Local media reports said one attacker appeared to run a bakery and that the attack took place after a row in the shop.

In addition to the attacker shot dead by police, another was captured and three escaped, AP news agency reported, citing local media.

BDST: 1305 HRS, MAR 14, 2014