Britain's Prince Harry on Saturday left war-ravaged Afghanistan for home after a news leak prompted his premature withdrawal from frontline, but is apparently itching to return to the war zone.
The 23-year-old prince, who is third in line to the British throne and has earned fullsome prise from many, including grandmother Queen Elizabeth II for his effort, was put on a troop transport plane with about 170 personnel.
"We can confirm that Prince Harry left Afghanistan earlier this evening (Friday). He is now on his way home to the United Kingdom," a defence ministry statement said.
His commander Brig Andrew Mackey said that the Prince 'acquitted himself with distinction', but Harry, who became the first royal family member to serve in a war zone since his uncle Prince Andrew participated in the Falklands War in 1982, is 'frustrated' at the turn of events.
"He is frustrated about coming back and leaving his friends behind. But he is realistic and understands the ways of the world," an unnamed royal official was quoted as saying by The Daily Telegraph.
"He hopes he can go back as his presence went undetected for 10 weeks. He feels he played a real role over there."
The defence ministry, meanwhile, on Saturday said that Harry's elder brother, Prince William, second in line to the throne, is also likely to be deployed on board a Royal Navy battleship.
"It is our intention to give Prince William as full a taste of life in the Royal Navy as possible, which may include time on board a warship," a spokesman said.
Harry's deployment was subject to a news blackout deal struck between the ministry and media in the UK and abroad. But the news was flashed all over late Thursday after a reported leak.
Appreciating Harry's role on the front line in the fight against the Taliban in Afghanistan, the Queen said Harry had performed 'a good job in a very difficult climate'.
"There is a feeling in the family that it was right for the Prince to do his military duty," courtiers were quoted as saying by The Daily Telegraph.
"Like in any family there was concern for his safety but coupled at the same time with a sense of pride at what he has achieved over there. He is an outstanding young man."
Prince Harry was on the verge of quitting the Army when he was refused permission to join his fellow soldiers on active service in Iraq last year due to the security risk.
After the news of his presence in Afghanistan was leaked, the second Lieutenant in the Household Cavalry was moved from his base, only 500 yards from Taliban enemy lines in the volatile Helmand Province, to a secret and secure location.
A Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said that Harry's presence in Helmand Province meant that the Royal Family had joined in the 'aggression against Muslims'.
"Prince Harry's presence in Afghanistan encourages our fighters to launch more attacks on British forces. We think Prince Harry has been sent to Afghanistan only to boost the sagging morale of the British forces which are in serious trouble.
"For us he is just part of occupation forces. Instead of killing innocent people, the Prince should try to influence the British government to withdraw troops from Afghanistan," Mujahid was quoted as saying by BBC.
Front line post 'Delhi'
Prince Harry was posted on a front line base called 'Delhi'. Harry fought the Taliban alongside Gurkhas recruited into the British army from Nepal. Many of them had their education in Kathmandu or India.
The Gurkhas from the First battalion -- The Royal Gurkha Rifles -- knew his identity but did not reveal it to anyone. The forward base is considered one of the 'hottest' in Afghanistan due to the intensity of fighting.
Lieutenant-Colonel Jonny Bourne, commanding officer of First Battalion, told newspersons: "FOB Delhi is probably the busiest place in Helmand, with attacks daily -- rockets, mortars, small arms fire, that sort of thing."
He said that for all practical purposes, Prince Harry was just another member of the team fighting on the ground. Harry served as the joint tactical air controller.
The place of Harry's posting near the town of Garmsir is reported to be the first stop for jihadis heading north into Helmand from the lawless Pakistani border region.
