Officials said a PA plan to bolster its police presence in northern West Bank cities have been opposed by Palestinian insurgency groups and organized crime. They said the biggest resistance was reported in Nablus, Middle East Newsline reported.

Officials said police and other PA security forces launched an anti-crime campaign in mid-March. They said police intend to intensify efforts to impose order in the Nablus area.

On April 9, five PA police officers were injured in a clash with Palestinian gunmen in Nablus. Officials said the officers came under fire when they sought to stop car thieves. Later, the gunmen fired toward a police station in a battle in which two of the attackers were injured.

The shootout was the latest in several battles between police and insurgents in Nablus. Officials said often the insurgents were identified as criminal operators in Nablus and the surrounding area of the northern West Bank.

A key insurgency stronghold was said to have been the Rafidiya area of Nablus. Officials said PA police captured three assailants who shot and injured an officer on April 6.

"Those who shot at the police force in Rafidiya were pursued and brought to justice," Nablus police commander Brig. Gen. Yusef Azril said. "Some people have benefited from the disorder, but we will do our utmost to end it."