Radiative lifetimes of six odd-parity levels belonging to the 5d26p configuration of doubly ionized tantalum (Ta III) have been measured using the time-resolved-laser-induced- fluorescence technique. Supporting theoretical calculations, including core-polarization effects, have been performed to model configuration interaction and to estimate branching fractions. The excellent agreement between the theoretical and experimental lifetimes allows us to assess the reliability of the 206 calculated transition probabilities. It is expected that this new set of results will be useful to astrophysicists for the investigation of the chemical composition of stars.