Prince Harry -- Taliban Launch Fatal Attack Near Prince's Base

Taliban insurgents -- the group that vowed to kill or kidnap Prince Harry -- attacked a British air base yesterday and killed soldiers ... just a stone's throw from where the royal is stationed in southern Afghanistan.

Taliban insurgents ambushed the British base with heavy weaponry -- mortars ... rockets ... grenades ... and firearms. Two U.S. marines stationed at the base were killed and others injured.

The base is adjacent to Camp Bastion, where Prince Harry is stationed on a four-month combat deployment. No word on where the Prince was when the attack occurred.

A Taliban spokesman said the attacks were motivated by Prince Harry's presence there, saying, "We attacked that base because Prince Harry was also on it and so they can know our anger. Thousands more suicide attackers are ready to give up their lives for the sake of the Prophet."

Britain's defense ministry says they have no plans to cut Harry's deployment short.