MEXICO CITY, March 4 (Xinhua) -- At least three people were shot dead and six others were missing following a dispute over land in Mexico's southern state of Oaxaca, local authorities said on Monday.

The feud flared on Sunday in Oaxaca's northeastern mountain region after villagers from San Juan Jaltepec were ambushed by rivals from the village of Nuevo San Antonio during a visit to the disputed parcel of land.

Officials found three bodies at the site. A fourth person was wounded and taken to hospital for treatment and six residents from Nuevo San Antonio were missing.

In a statement, the State Attorney General's Office reiterated its commitment to investigating and bringing those responsible to justice.

"No crime goes unpunished," it said.

Violent clashes over land are not uncommon in Oaxaca, one of Mexico's less developed states.