SYDNEY, July 15 (Xinhua) -- A man has been hospitalized following a stabbing attack outside a Melbourne shopping center.

Police in the state of Victoria said on Tuesday that two male pedestrians were seen arguing outside the shopping center in Moonee Ponds, 7 km northwest of central Melbourne, on Monday afternoon before one man stabbed the other with a knife.

The victim, a 44-year-old man, suffered neck and chest injuries and was taken to hospital for treatment.

The alleged attacker, a 55-year-old, was restrained by members of the public until police arrived. He was taken into custody and was charged with recklessly causing injury, intentionally causing injury and assault with a weapon.

His action after being arrested prompted police to call in the counter-terrorism unit, but Acting Inspector Raj Tillekeratne told reporters on Tuesday that the attack is being treated as a random and isolated incident.

"We have nothing to indicate that this is either religiously or politically motivated," Tillekeratne said.

He said that the 44-year-old was lucky to have only suffered minor injuries. ■