Wing Commander Amar Jit Singh Sandhu was born on 23 January 1933 and was commissioned into the Indian Air Force Flying Branch on 15 May 1954 as a fighter pilot. He was part of the 62nd Pilots' Course and subsequently developed extensive experience flying fighter aircraft.
He progressed through the ranks of Flying Officer, Flight Lieutenant and Squadron Leader. While serving with No. 23 Squadron, he demonstrated exceptional flying skill during a serious in-flight emergency on 10 March 1964. His Gnat suffered an engine flame-out followed by a total electrical failure. Instead of abandoning the aircraft, he successfully carried out a dead-stick landing, saving the aircraft and allowing engineers to investigate the cause of the failure. For this achievement, he was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal.
During the 1965 Indo-Pakistan War, Sandhu served as the Flight Commander of No. 23 Squadron. The squadron was tasked with establishing air superiority over the Pathankot region. He flew repeated operational missions in the Chhamb sector and over the Pasrur and Lahore areas.
On 18 September 1965, Sandhu engaged a Pakistani F-86 Sabre during an aerial combat encounter. Using his flying skill and judgement, he outmanoeuvred the opposing aircraft and shot it down. This action earned him the Vir Chakra.
Sandhu continued his service in the Indian Air Force after the 1965 war. He was promoted to Wing Commander and on 30 November 1970 took command of No. 23 Squadron at Pathankot.
On the night of 24 September 1971, while flying a Gnat during a night-flying sortie from Pathankot, his aircraft crashed and he was killed. He was 38 years old.
Wing Commander Amar Jit Singh Sandhu is remembered as a fighter pilot who received both the Vayu Sena Medal and Vir Chakra for distinguished service and gallantry during his Indian Air Force career.