Dhaka, Oct. 17 -- Tasawar was at the Combined Military Hospital in Dhaka when he was adorned with the new rank badge on Oct 13.

He suffered cardiac arrest on Mar 11, 2013 for such a long period that it caused hypoxic-ischemic brain injury caused by oxygen deprivation to the brain, said Brigadier General Masud Majumder, medicine specialist at the critical care department of the CMH.

As the blood circulation stopped, his brain had no oxygen for a long time, which eventually caused permanent damage, the doctor explained.

"He can move his hands and legs sometimes, but does not feel much," the doctor added.

Tasawar's wife Mosleha Munira told reporters that she had never thought that the Army would honour her husband with a promotion.

"But...